Walk report: 15 June 2023 Longslade Bottom with Robert Payne

Our walk began with a Buzzard circling in the clear blue sky and with the promise of high temperatures we followed the tree-lined disused railway track with the many bird songs and calls testing our abilities. We heard Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Wren, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Song Thrush and then were drawn to a couple of Great Spotted Woodpecker chasing around in the canopy.

 

Song Thrush © Chris Robinson

Moving off the track into open heath, we identified the three species of heather (Cross-leaved, Bell and Ling), Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Birds-foot Trefoil, Selfheal, Heath Bedstraw, Germander Speedwell, Meadow Thistle and the interesting Creeping Willow hugging the ground. The many Heath-spotted Orchids varied in colour from purple to white.

 

Selfheal © Richard Smith

Butterflies flitting over the heather included Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small Blue and Silver-studded Blue. We were surprised to hear the brief churring of a distant Nightjar and then the appearance of a Marsh Harrier overhead and then moving low to quarter the marshes beyond. Goldfinch, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats with their loud chatting and a Reed Bunting were seen among the Gorse. 

 

Silver-studded Blue © Andy Skarstein

 

Meadow Pipit © Chris Robinson

Marsh Harrier © Chris Robinson

Bog Myrtle and the white tufts of Cotton Grass announced the approaching wet area and stream where we came across Beautiful Demoiselle and many busy dragonflies darting over the water, including Broad-bodied Chasers, Golden-ringed and Emperor Dragonflies. 

 

Hinchelsea Bog © Richard Smith

 

Cotton Grass sp © Richard Smith

Heath Moth © Chris Robinson

Broad-bodied Chaser © Chris Robinson

Marsh Harrier © Chris Robinson

 Sheltering in the welcome shade of the wood again, we enjoyed chocolate biscuits cunningly kept cool with a freezer-block and completed our walk through the wood and down the hill, passing another pond area and back to the carpark where Song and Mistle Thrush were moving over the lawns. A final treat was a low fly over of a Buzzard and hearing the distant calls of a Cuckoo. RP

 

Common Buzzard © Chris Robinson

 

 

 

 

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Walk Report: Blackwater Arboretum with Fiona and Graeme Sampson

From the Blackwater carpark we headed across the road to the Arboretum.  Once inside we walked in a figure of eight amongst many non-native trees from around the world.  The trees had been planted around the time of the development of the Ornamental Drive in 1859 and included numerous varieties of pine, larch, birch, spruce as well as Giant Sequoia with its soft furry bark, Coastal Redwood and eucalyptus.  The trees were interspersed with wooden sculptures of cones and seeds, part of ‘Our Past, Our Future’ project* providing places to sit and enjoy the surroundings.  It was noted that a Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp niphophila had much graffiti carved into its bark. One piece advised the reader to look around and take in nature! 

Beesh mast © Glynis Payne

 

Japanese Red Cedar – tree of the month for May is the national tree of Japan known as Sugi.  Its timber is fragrant as well as insect and weather resistant.  The oldest and largest is on the Yakushima and is 7200 years old.

Norway Spruce – tree of the month in April was the original Victorian Christmas Tree, it has been used to flavour beer and to make musical instruments. 

The Forestry Commission had recently felled some Spruce trees which had died due to Spruce Beetle in an attempt to stop the spread of the infestation.

Common Yellow Azalea filled the air with scent but opinion was divided about its perfume.  Various pine cones were studied for shape and form.

A female Beautiful Demoiselle was seen, its closed wings were a golden colour and it looked like a dead leaf as it sat on a twig, its green/blue body shielded by its wings.  A Black Locust or False Acacia tree had sharp spikes on its branches.

Beautiful Demoiselle -  female © Glynis Payne

 

As we left the Arboretum and turn left onto the Tall Trees Trail, we saw many Speckled Wood butterflies in the warm sunshine.  Beautifully carved signage was admired as we walked on a level path amongst many impressive trees.  We arrived at two huge Giant Sequoias, which can live up to 3000 years - ours were estimated to be 150 years.  Apparently, they weigh about 28 full-grown elephants each.  The oldest in America weighs 248 elephants.

Chaffinch -  female © Glynis Payne

 

Many birds were heard and/or seen including Siskin, Mistle and Song Thrushes, Chaffinch, Treecreeper, Stock Dove, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Mistle Thrush, Southern Wood Ant nests teaming with industrious ants, Common Malachite Beetle and Hornet.

Common Malachite Beetle © Maureen Fidkin

 

Plants included Heath Bedstraw, Common Cow-wheat, Tormentil, Beech Woodwort (a fungus), Rhododendron, Foxglove and Hard Fern. F&GS

Heath Bedstraw © Glynis Payne

 * A £4.4m scheme led by 11 partners working across 21 projects to restore lost habitats, develop forest skills and inspire a new generation to champion and care for the New Forest. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/projects/our-past-our-future-working-together-new-forest