Category Archives: Birds
Just passing through
A wryneck photographed today by Bob Rowland via the kitchen window at Furzefield (click either thumbnail to see larger versions).
Preloved budgie for sale
Lovely one and a half year old (roughly) blue and white male budgie for sale. Sad sale as wanted to buy a bigger cage to house more budgies so he’s not lonely but can’t find the space or time. Want him to go to a house with lots of other budgies! (or at least a couple others!) comes with a pretty white medium sized cage with the toys and food etc. Really, really sad sale but it’s for the best. Home more important than price!
Megan Holman
A reminder ..
With blackthorn and wild plum in blossom, early butterflies on the wing and also kestrels and buzzards to spot. April is a magical time to visit Woods Mill as spring takes hold at a galloping pace. A mixture of woodland and meadow with good views of the South Downs, this peaceful nature reserve near Henfield is centered around a large reed-fringed pond.
Mute swan, little grebe and heron can all been seen on the pond and you may even be lucky enough to see a flash of a kingfisher. Removal of fish a couple of years ago has rejuvenated the pond. The water is now clear enough to see the tadpoles of the frogs and toads and grass snakes bask on its sunny banks.
Over the Easter school holiday, we will be running regular drop-in pond dipping sessions with the Woods Mill Warden on-hand to help you find out what you have caught. Newts, water boatmen and dragonfly nymphs all thrive in the numerous ponds.
Woods Mill is free to visit. It has a car park, public toilets and a wheelchair friendly all-weather path .. but no dogs are allowed on the nature reserve.
How to Engage in the Planning Process for the Benefit of Wildlife
[If you are planning to convert your field into a campsite, or trying to stop someone else from doing so, then this brief tutorial may be just what you need.]
Laura Brook and Jess Price look at how to engage with planning processes and its impact on wildlife with reference to biodiversity legislation and how to respond to planning applications on biodiversity grounds: (i) an introduction to the planning system in England and key biodiversity legislation & guidance; (ii) the process involved in responding to a planning application on biodiversity grounds; and (iii) some examples of planning applications. A basic run through of the planning system in England and key biodiversity legislation and guidance. An outline of the process involved in responding to a planning application on biodiversity grounds. The course will be run from an ecological stand point and will not cover other planning issues.
Woods Mill, Thursday 12th February, 6:30pm–9:00pm. Book here.
Break the ice
Ethylene glycol is highly toxic to domestic animals and wildlife. Please do not put antifreeze in your water feature. If you have a solar water heating array on a roof, check that there are no leaks. Please do not pour old antifreeze solution into a storm drain or watercourse.
Clive Goodridge