The following web sites have more details and
pictures
http://www.atalanta.dk/argiope.html
http://www.uksafari.com/argiopebruennichi.htm
October 5th
Walked through woodland area via grass meadow which was cut back in mid
August, somewhat prematurely by contractors and without advance notice
being given to the FOLR.
Lots of small, some familiar, some
unidentified birds chattered and chirped in the bushes.
Shiny clusters of almost ebony black Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
berries stand out on the tops of the drab looking bushes.
Among the Ash and Beech woodland, shafts of sunlight penetrate through
the canopy to the shady floor, making strong patterns of bright light
in
the shadows.
With the changing light different features of the woodland are
highlighted. Today I noticed that a particular Beech Tree appears to
have facial features formed on it's trunk when viewed from one
side.
The eye is formed by a large knot hole, the nose a bulbous lump and the
mouth a crease in the bark.
The combined features form a face that appears
to have a look of wisdom and knowledge of the life in the wood, unseen
by
human kind. >>
The autumn fungi have begun to appear but
not
in great number.
Puffballs like smooth golf balls have appeared in their
usual place. A few Golden pholiota have appeared clinging to
decaying
Ash tree wood.
The Parasols a not very evident but one has bravely appeared in
grass a few yards from the dewpond.
It did appear that some had emerged and been deheaded for no good
reason.
October Picture Gallery
Monday 27th August
Walked on western slope of Lancing Ring this morning. Above the
childrens play area in Halewick Lane a small meadow has been allowed to
develop where a variety of plants grow including those members of the
Pea family that are
attractive to the Common Blue and Meadow Brown
butterflies. Through this area wide pathways have been mown to allow
one to mingle with insects and flowers without damaging nectar
plants.
Other areas of this sunny slope are also rich with good plants. Less
common is the strange Carline Thistle
small area on this slope.
Before returning to the play area I had a fleeting glimpse of a Wall
Brown butterfly.
which can only be found in a
I took an evening walk on the reserve on Saturday at around 6:30 pm, in
the low Meadow where we had walked last weekend with Brianne Reeve, who
had led us for the Butterfly-Conservation
Society walk.
I sighted 20+ Meadow Brown butterflies and about 5 Common
Blues. They become apparent when disturbed from the grasses. So
that numbers actually present could well be much higher.
At the Dewpond I caught a brief glimpse of a large Dragonfly but too
distant to identify.
While there, a spectacle I have witnessed before when a group of about
10 Swallows in flight skim the water taking a drink as they go.
On the way to the Chalkpit via the bridleway I meet a birdwatcher whose
has his field glasses trained on the shrubbery that now encases the
derelict Barton's Farm buildings.
He tells me there are about 12 Spotted Flycatchers
In the air above our heads a party of House Martins circle around.
In conversation he tells me that he sighted about 9 Clouded Yellow
butterflies in the low Meadow a few days ago. This surprises me as I
have not seen a single specimen this year.
feeding in the field. He describes this site as ideal
for these birds who are preparing for their migration.
August 18th
On a dull and eventually wet afternoon on August 18th, the Butterfly-Conservation
Society walk led by Brianne Reeve set out to observe the
butterflies of Lancing
Ring. Click
here for report by FOLR member Andy Horton
A Butterfly Walk is planned
for Saturday 18th August at 2pm, the leader will be Brianne Reeve of
Butterfly-Conservation. An exhibition of Butterfly pictures will
be displayed at the Lancing Library for two weeks prior to the
walk.
July 1st
An evening walk through the disused Chalkpit (TQ 182 062) in the
Lancing Ring Nature Reserve revealed an unexpected good sighting
of the Marbled White butterfly.
On the long grass two were seen roosting and
another with it's upper wings exposed.
I was able to creep up and photograph them.
I was careful to avoid unnecessary trampling of the grass
Also seen were a few Pyramid Orchids
and a single Round-headed Rampion.
There are usually several in this site but it is a little early.
July 4th
A more thorough search around mid-day of a field on the lower slopes of
Lancing Ring revealed large numbers of Marbled White
butterflies. My
estimation is about 100+. Also saw single Speckled Wood, Comma,
Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, several Skippers
and also large numbers of other Browns, 50+ which I think were
mostly Gatekeeper but others were present.
On a tree I spotted a Green Woodpecker and over the
Dewpond six Dragonflies darted over the surface.
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/adur
June 15th-
During the closed period, local residents who see parts of the hill
around Lancing Ring from their homes noted greater numbers of Roe deer,
Foxes and Rabbits all taking advantage of the deserted
downland.
Interestingly a black Rabbit has been seen among the Rabbit
population. Apparently this phenomenon has been noted for several
years. This is either an old Rabbit or the colouring is being
inherited.
June 2nd
An exhibition of Biodiversity in Adur began at the Civic centre, Ham
Road, Shoreham
This display included images from Lancing Ring and other sites around
the Adur area including Widewater LagoonMill Hill. and
At the Adur World
Oceans Day event on Coronation Green in Shoreham, a slide show and
photo
display was presented by myself, Ray Hamblett.
Images included some of the interesting flora and fauna of Lancing and
the Adur area.
18th May
Pathways to the Nature Reserve were re-opened
Dog walkers are returning, so although there
was hardly a trace of fouling after months of closure, some mess is
bound to
appear uncollected over the coming days.
The pathways haven't disappeared under surge
of bramble growth although it is beginning to stretch out its
tendrils.
Early Purple Orchids are in full
flower and doing very well without the trampling of unwary walkers
which normally occurs before the flowers appear.
Common Gorse is still in bloom so
kissing is still in season, as the saying goes !
The pathways which had previously become
muddy swamps in some places have recovered and new grass is growing
over previously bald areas.
Bird song is very evident, many of them will
be nesting, incubating, or staking territories.
The stormy weather has caused a lot of
leaves
to be shaken loose but no serious damage was evident.
The Dewpond is looking serene and tranquil,
a
small blot is a pile of charred embers, the remnants of a campfire
close
to the pond.
