Walk report: 19 January 2023 Bolderwood with Claire Kidger

A group of hardy walkers, ventured out into the freezing icy morning. We walked from the car park at Bolderwood and through an area of Douglas fir trees which was the old site of a series of hunting lodges dating from 1325. A lichen, Flavoparmeli sp, was seen on the trunk of a Douglas fir.

Flavoparmeli sp © Claire Kidger

 

There was also a plaque marking Bolderwood as part of the Platinum Jubilee 2022 green canopy a network of 70 ancient woodlands. We walked towards the deer sanctuary and saw two Roe deer grazing under the trees. Adjacent to the path were a few Hazel trees with long yellow male catkins and the red female flower.

Hazel with female flowers and male catkins © Richard Coomber

 

We saw very few birds but heard and briefly spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. We looked at a large fallen rotten beech tree and spotted some frozen Smoky Bracket and Beech Woodwart, whilst on a fallen branch we found the lichen Ramalina farinacea.

As we turned off the main path into Mark Ash, an  ancient woodland, a Coal Tit was seen moving quickly through the branches above. We stopped at a very old Holly and saw a young sapling growing in the hollow of the trunk. Usnea sp, another lichen, grew on a Holly branch.

In the woodland we observed several fallen trees with new upright young trees growing from the sweet chestnut trunk.

The 'nursery' tree © Claire Kidger

 

Walking up through the woodland a Firecrest was spotted fliting through the branches of a Holly and we heard a Stock Dove calling. In the deciduous woodland were several species of moss including Bank Haircap Polytrichastrum formosum and Common Tamarisk-moss Thuidium tamariscinum. Fungi found there included Candlesnuff, Holly Speckle and Pink Disco on a fallen beech branch.

Bank Haircap © Claire Kidger

Common Tamarisk-moss © Claire Kidger

Pink Disco © Claire Kidger

 

Before we walked uphill to an area of mixed woodland we safely traversed a muddy area - safely. Amongst the trees in the woodland Cypress conifers, Cedar and a very large girthed Yew tree were noted. We all returned feeling warmer than when we started out. CK

Our route
© Crown copyright 2023 Ordnance Survey. Media 006/23.
The licence is valid until 31 December 2023

Walk report: 05 January 2023 Fritham with Robert Payne

The hope for this walk was to find the spectacle of hundreds of Redwing gorging on the enormous harvest of red holly berries that have been witnessed in previous years...... Alas, this was not to be! Virtually all the berries had already disappeared and the Redwings with them.

Despite this, we set off along a gravelly track with the treat of a Goldcrest nearby, the sight of a Kestrel and some good specimens of Yellow Brain on old Gorse stems, before shortly dropping down into a mixed woodland. We found glimpses of Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and Fallow Deer with our attention repeatedly drawn to the croaking of Raven overhead. 

Brick Cap © Chris Robinson

On walking through an Inclosure of largely Douglas Fir we discovered the characteristic scent of citrous from rubbing one's hands through the needles. 

Yellow Brain on Gorse Richard Smith

We also saw very fleeting glimpses of a few Redwings until we came out to the open Fritham Plain and found a flock of 20 or so, together with Song and Mistle Thrush.

Redwings © Chris Robinson

Sadly, no Dartford Warbler among the Gorse which have been seen many times before there, as we sploshed our way back through the heather and round a very photogenic little pond. 

Nail Fungus © Claire Kidger

Whilst being very wet underfoot, we were grateful to escape the rain and glad of the company of friends. RP

Our route
©Crown copyright 2023 Ordnance Survey. Media 006/23.
The licence is valid until 31 December 2023

Walk report: 02 January 2023 Normandy Lagoon area with Richard Smilth

We started New Year by gathering at 9:00am for a walk around Normandy Lagoon under bright sunny skies with a gentle breeze and almost flat calm sea conditions. Coal Tit, Dunnock and Magpie were seen on arrival.

Passing the Eight Acre Pond, several Little Grebe swam and dived along with Coot, a pair of Mallard and a few Cormorants on the island, stretched their wings in the rising sun. A Little Egret perched at the top of a pine tree beside the pond and closer by, a Grey Heron flew up from the ditch as we approached the sea wall.

Looking out to sea wasn’t made easier by the full glare of the sun, and at almost high water, there was not much to be seen.  

Snipe © Chris Robinson

In complete contrast, Normandy Lagoon was filled with different species, and we had perfect light for enjoying the view. Large flocks of Lapwing occupied the exposed islands, and at times took to the wing, offering splendid views of them wheeling in flight along with large numbers of Dunlin. Meadow Pipit explored the margins, and a single male Goldeneye was seen preening and showing off its head display, seemingly to the large numbers of Tufted Duck present, since we did not spot a female. Several Avocet were seen feeding, along with Greylag and Brent Geese. One island was occupied almost entirely by Ringed Plover whilst another was taken over by a Great Black-backed Gull. Turnstone, Shelduck, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, Greenshank, Redshank and a Red-breasted Merganser were quickly added to our growing tally, even before we had reached the west point of the lagoon.

Drake Goldeneye with Tufted Duck and a drake Pintail © Chris Robinson

Pausing at the sea wall, we spotted three distant Spoonbill on the edge of the Lymington River, resting and only infrequently showing off their bills, but their size gave them away. A Kingfisher flew toward us and perched briefly on the fence line before returning to a more distant post, and in the good light we were able to confirm it as female from the beak colour. 

 

Kingfisher - female © Richard Coomber

The venerable Little Egret “JN” posed obligingly by the fence next to the sea wall - an excerpt from our field meeting report in August 2021. Ringed as a chick by Graham Giddens in the summer of 2006, "JN" is recognised by the BTO as holding the longevity record of this species.  

Little Egret "JN" © Kevin Tubb

Moving to the western end of the lagoon, we added Spotted Redshank and a couple of Snipe on one of the island edges. Looking across the river we saw large numbers of Grey Plover and a few Curlew out on the exposed marsh. A male Eider dived in the mouth of the river and a Great Crested Grebe was seen along with a distant Peregrine Falcon perched on the sea edge. We had further views of seven more Snipe and a pair of Rock Pipit were seen feeding in the margins of the lagoon. 

Brent Geese © Kevin Tubb

Approaching the marina, a Common Gull was spotted on the pilings; its size, pale legs and the dark band on the bill showing clearly for comparison against a Black-headed Gull nearby. Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat and Robin were all seen in nearby gorse. 

Common Gull © Chris Robinson

Turning back to Normandy Lane, we found many more Curlew in the fields, along with Oystercatcher, Moorhen, Redshank and Canada Geese. A pair of confident Redwing foraged amongst the leaves allowing close views. We counted 15 Roe Deer in the grassy fields, Common Buzzard flew distantly, and good views of Goldcrest were found in the trees, initially by those with better hearing. Close by the cars, a pair of Green Woodpecker flew away and we also spotted Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch. A few of us walked back to Oxey Lagoon as the tide dropped and enjoyed further views of Goldcrest and added a Tree Creeper to our list. A good start to the year and excellent viewing conditions of 53 species seen today. RS 

Redwing © Chris Robinson

This week's talk: 10 January 2023: New Forest Fungi with Russell Wynn

Tuesday 10 January 2023 at 7.15pm at St. Thomas’ Church Hall, Lymington.

Doors open at 7.00 pm Members free, visitors £5.00

 

NEW FOREST FUNGI

By

Russell Wynn

 

This evening we can expect a fascinating talk from Russell on the fungi to be found in the Forest.

Russell co-founded Wild New Forest with Marcus Ward in 2016 with the primary aim of supporting wildlife conservation action in the New Forest National Park, through field-based recording, survey and photography of the local fauna. A secondary aim was to responsibly share information about New Forest wildlife, which they do in various ways including their highly successful boat trips on the Beaulieu River as well as guided wildlife walks that include autumnal fungi forays.  

Some of our speakers bring merchandise to sell, which might be the case tonight.