3rd February 2010
St John's Churchyard
Lets see how the reptiles are doing after the snowfall this January - please send an email to sign up for the work parties and survey workshops
info@alresfordwildlife.org
19th January 2010
Bird Walk Report - By David Shute
John Clark led the annual Winter Bird Walk in Alresford for the Hants Wildlife Trust on Sunday 17th and the sunny, if slightly cold, weather attracted around 40 visitors from as far afield as Fleet and Lymington. We set off from Broad St. at 10am to walk along the River Arle. Within a hundred yards we had a feeding flock of small passerines including 4 species of tit (Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal) and a Treecreeper. In the fields across the river by the Fulling Mill we found Red-legged Partridge and Mistle Thrush. As we approached The Dean someone found a Kingfisher perched high over the river and it stayed long enough for everyone to get good views (a highlight for many). The fishing lake near Eel House had Tufted Duck and Gadwall and then as we emerged on to Abbotstone Road we saw several hardy Goldcrests in the firs and a Kestrel on overhead wires.
The fields above the road held a good flock of Fieldfares and Redwings and the odd Skylark and Song Thrush. Moving on down Drove Way we found a flock of 10 Grey Herons roosting in a field and on the stream 2 Little Grebes, 1 or possibly 2 Water Rails and another Kingfisher. Re-tracing our steps up the road a Buzzard flew over pursued by a gang of Rooks and Jackdaws.
In the warmth of the mid-day sun we had the incredible sight of a Brimstone butterfly on the wing along the hedge bordering Abbotstone Road. This must be some kind of record for early emergence especially after all the freezing temperatures of the last fortnight. Later a 7-spot Ladybird was also found.
A Stonechat was the next new bird and for those at the head of the party a Green Sandpiper on the Watercress beds. Pied and Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipit and 2 Little Egrets were seen around the beds. Returning to Broad Street, some of the group went across to view Old Alresford Pond where the wildfowl recorded were Shoveler, Common Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Mallard and Mute Swan. Black-headed and Common Gulls were also present, a large group of Cormorants roosting in the trees and our third Kingfisher whistled past.
The walk concluded at 1pm when some adjourned for lunch at the Horse and Groom!
18th January 2010
Winter Bird Walk - threw up a surprise..
David Shute sent in a picture of a surprise sighting on the winter bird walk in Alresford - a brimstone butterfly the first of the season.....
7th January 2010
Sightings from Nursery Road
Prior to the snowfall this week I noticed a number of birds who were feeding on berries in the garden.
Including Blackbird, song thrush, black cap, wood pigeon
Other birds in the garden included robin, dunnock, blue tit, starling, house sparrow, wren and long tailed tits
6th January 2010
Just got back from a meeting at the Long Barn just outside of Alresford. Some exciting events were discussed including a seed swap, seed potato and wildlife workshop events later in the year.
Volunteers are also required to help with a wildlife survey of the surrounding land at the Long Barn - please email for more info or call Jon 733932
1st January 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Well that was the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. Its new year's day and the family went for a nice walk down to the eel house, up way farers walk, past fob down farm, down to Old Alresford, back along mill lane and into town.
It was cold but lovely views across the river and wider countryside. Plenty of robins, chaffinches, a kestrel, and the highlight a trio of little egrets along the water cress beds at Mill Lane.
Jon Cranfield
Scoll down for more news...
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