The Toad Patrols on Coombe Road finished on Sunday 26 March. It has been a different year to last year, with a long period in the middle of the patrolling season devoid of amphibians due to the cold dry weather. However the numbers of toads are comparable to last year, and the number of newts up by approximately 60. One thing we did notice was that a number of the male toads were very small. Read more…
The 2023 Toad Patrol Season progresses. Now, towards the end of their migration to the breeding pond we are finding more female toads than males. Click on this post to view a video of males toads hitching a lift on the back of females,. This allows them to be in pole position for fertilising the toad spawn on reaching the pond.
This flush of sweet violets (viola adorata) was spotted on the north side of the Bereleigh Road today. Spring is definitely moving forward now.
Last evening, Thursday 9th March, was a big night for the 2023 Toad Patrol. The weather had rapidly changed from dry/cold to wet/mild, encouraging the toads and newts to get moving to their breeding pond. 102 Toads were moved to safety, with the loss of 6 squashed ones. 96 newts were moved to safety with the loss of 1 squashed one.
I came across this female sparrowhawk this morning, breakfasting on a blackbird. It did not immediately fly away, so I was able to get a good picture. I think it was protecting its prey.
TWIG and supporters, led by Stuart Martin, today planted its second hedge row. It is positioned on the Recreation Ground, behind the Cricket Pavilion and next to the Clanfield Road.
With the mild (9C) and damp weather toad patrols commenced on Coombe Road last evening, 16 February. 25 toads rescued, 3 squashed toads found. Also 16 palmate newts rescued, with 3 squashed ones found. Please drive carefully on Coombe Road at dusk and beyond, there will be patrols on the road.
Despite the two recent cold spells, spring is coming. Snowdrops and celandines are flowering in a lot of places around the Parish.
There is a flock of 30 to 40 lapwings in the field on the south side of the Bereleigh Road. This is a relatively unusual sight in East Meon. When I first came to East Meon around 15 years ago there seemed to be some breeding pairs on Park Hill and around Forty Acres. I have only seem the odd one or two in recent years. This is a very handsome bird with a very Read more…
TWIG (Part of East Meon Nature), led by Stuart Martin, completed their first project yesterday. They planted a broad hedgerow using native British species on the north side of the village green. As it develops it will provide a habitat for many birds, insects and other animals, as well as enhancing the environment. The South Downs National Park kindly supplied the funding for this work.