| Lancing Village Nature and History |
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| Contact |
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| Friends Of Lancing
Ring |
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| January 2003 |
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| This time of the year one does not expect to
see much active wildlife but on Hawthorn and Dogwood scrub on the south east
corner of the Dewpond field a Butterfly was taking advantage of the mild
weather. It was tricky to make a definite identification as it flew out of sight but I believe it was a Small Tortoiseshell. Close by on the flowering Gorse a Bee laden with pollen was visiting a selection of the yellow blossoms. Several Blackbirds were seen foraging amongst the leaf litter for food and a single Great tit was spotted before it darted into an Ivy laden Hawthorn. McIntyre's Field has been foraged, baled and cleared. This clears a burgeoning forest of Ash and Dogwood saplings which will no doubt continue to sprout and be troublesome in future. The field is home to a colony of Common Blue butterflies. http://lancingvillage.co.uk/nature/FOLR/mcintyres.htm The meadow area south of the Dewpond has also been foraged. The removal of hay and tree saplings will open up the debate on future grassland management. A plan to introduce Exmoor Ponies to graze selected areas will move into a higher gear. |
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| On the subject of Ivy
cutting (See December 2002 Newsletter) I had this message from SDCB Ranger Richard James: 'Last Friday morning (10th 9.20am), I came across one culprit red handed. He is a tall and well built grey haired chap who walks three golden retrievers. He was using a rather large kitchen type knife to hack off the ivy. I did approach him and question his actions, his reply was that he was clearing the paths. I did state that the paths were fine and to please leave the ivy alone. He mumbled some sort of reply. I have two concerns. Firstly, as you correctly stated the ivy is doing no harm, and actually provides much needed shelter and food for a number of species, especially birds. Secondly, a member of the public should not be walking around a LNR with an unsheathed knife. I am sure I am correct in presuming he is not member of FOLR. Please do not approach this individual. I will visit the Ring at the same sort of time in the hope of meeting him again and reporting his actions to the necessary authorities if he does not stop and leave his knife at home! ' |
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| Membership The group is appealing to anybody who is keen to do some practical conservation work and lives in or close to the Adur area. Maintenance of the reserve relies heavily on volunteers who come out once a month to join an organised party and help keep pathways open from encroachment by brambles and shrub seedlings. If you are fit and keen to help please get in touch with me or the membership secretary. |
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