Amphibians
A Froglet is Hopping
A froglet was spotted whilst the East Meon Nature Group was investigating the pond north of Duncombe Wood with regard to helping lessen the annual toad massacre on Coombe Road.
Rivers and Streams
The Bourne Runs Dry
The Bourne that flows out of the spring fed pond to the north of Duncombe Wood, and then flows north to the corner of Coombe Road near the village, has run dry. This date varies every year, depending on rainfall. In Winter and early spring it was a minor torrent. (A bourne is an intermittent stream , flowing from a spring. Frequent in chalk and limestone country where the rock becomes saturated with winter rain, that slowly drains Read more…
Early summer landscape
Pyramidal Orchids in the Churchyard
Pyramidal orchids have started to flower in the nature conservation sections of the churchyard. Jonathan Iremonger
Early summer landscape
Greater Butterfly Orchids
A number were spotted in Hen Wood yesterday, close to one of the main tracks.
Rare Birds
Spotted Flycatchers
A pair of spotted flycatchers have been seen in a large garden in the centre of East Meon for the first time in 20 years. Spotted flycatchers are Red Listed birds due to a massive decline in the UK in the last 20 years.
Early summer landscape
Common Spotted Orchids on Butser Hill
There are a good many common spotted orchids now flowering towards the top of Limekiln Lane on Butser Hill
Early summer landscape
Rare orchids on the Bereleigh Road
There are a few narrow leaved helleborines on the north side of the Bereleigh road, not so many as there have been other years. These are rare and protected species with one of their best sites being at Chappetts Copse north of Whitewool Farm. They are mixed in with an number of other wild flowers including common rock-rose, jack-go-to-bed-at-noon and wild strawberries, yum yum!
Woodlands
Timber cutting at Duncoombe Wood
Western red cedar being cut down in Duncoombe Wood, ready to be used as cladding on the refurbished hostel at the Sustainability Centre
Slow-worms
Slow-worms on the move
I spotted two slow-worms today, one on Halnacker Lane near Coombe Cross and one near Forty Acres Farm on the concrete road. I think one is a female and one a male.
Early summer landscape
Buttercups are blooming
All over the parish, and especially on Park Hill and Small Down, buttercups are blooming