Monthly Archives: February 2023

Sussex Bird Migration

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Members of Ferring Conservation Group welcomed Matt Eade to their February meeting to talk about his observations regarding bird migration here in Sussex. Matt has had a lifelong interest in birds and in his professional life he works in operations at Naturetrek HQ and has the responsibility to design and lead wildlife tours.

Matt strongly recommends autumn as the best season to watch birds migrate along the Sussex coastline, when thousands of birds flock through just stopping long enough to refuel before crossing the English Channel.

Although wetlands, heathlands, estuaries and peatlands hold international importance for so many migratory species all year round, the best chance of seeing a variety of birds is around coastal nature reserves.

A south-east wind is favourable in observing a mixed group of migrating birds and will not only attract a good selection of passage migrants but also draw in some rarities.

The scenic valley of Cuckmere Haven – the gateway to the Seven Sisters, is also a fantastic location where passerines use stars and landmarks to navigate. Birds use the rotation of close star patterns around a centre point, and in the wild this enables them to determine where north is and then use this information to fly south.

Matt explained to the audience that Raptors usually preferred to avoid flapping flight so their flyways are generally over land.

Illustrated with excellent photographs, Matt reported that the following birds had been sighted by him in recent years:

Red-breasted Goose, Osprey, Honey-buzzard, Aquatic Warbler, Tawny Pipit, and Short-eared Owls.

After the usual break for refreshments Graham Tuppen took to the floor to present the Nature Notes slot. Graham reported many interesting sightings along the Rife including a Kingfisher, a Water vole, Frog Spawn in both lagoons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves and Great-crested Grebes on the beach. Graham also reported that the Nature Walk around Burpham on Monday had been well attended and among many interesting observations were numerous birds of prey along with welcome signs of spring such as primroses, snowdrops and hawthorn coming into leaf – a keen member also spotted two Hares ‘Boxing’ in the middle of a field.

Ed Miller brought the meeting to a close with Planning News:

The proposed housing estate at Kingston Lane is soon to be decided along with the proposed Lansdowne Nursery estate.

The proposed Ham Manor housing estate is still open for comment as well as the proposed Highdown Vineyard estate.

Ed reminded members that the Government is soon to change the policy on housing development under the ‘Planning Policy Framework’ – which he feels cannot be implemented soon enough.

 

Nature Walk around Burpham 20th February

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An excellent turnout of 22 members from Ferring Conservation Group set out from the beautiful village of Burpham led by their knowledgeable guide, Clive Hope. Their aim was to observe the diverse and plentiful wildlife this relatively remote area of south-east England has on its doorstep.

This village is built on the side of Perry Hill just out of reach from the flood plain. Therefore wonderful views are apparent for the eye to see with Arundel Castle in the distance to the south west, and views towards the gap in the Downs where the river Arun carves its way to the sea to the north west.

The Group made their way to the large Saxon Burgh on which part of the village stands and this fortification was an ideal place to view farmland birds as well as a range of raptors. As the Group set off several Red Kites and a solitary Sparrow hawk were circling high above joined by a large Buzzard, all greatly defined against the dark grey clouds. A small flock of noisy Guinea fowl were spotted in a farmer’s field with a few Sparrows and Wood Pigeons for company. Two Grey partridge were seen foraging for food in a nearby field, a welcome sight, with their numbers greatly increased by a breeding programme started back in 2003 on the Duke of Norfolk Estate. Further along the track a single Green Finch sat perched on the top of a small tree while several Stock Doves were foraging for food nearby. Unlike most pigeons and doves the Stock Dove nests in holes, usually in trees, but often in old stone barns or similar buildings. Unlike the Woodpigeon it has no white feathers in its plumage and is smaller and shorter-tailed.

As the Group progressed along the route more Red Kites gathered above and were joined by Common Gulls, a small number of Black-headed Gulls and some Starlings. A keen eyed member of the Group spied two Brown Hares ‘boxing’ in the middle of a field. These displays are an exhibit of mating behaviour – although a little early as this usually starts in March. It is surprisingly the females who instigate ‘boxing’ as a way to fend off the mating urges of the males!

The countryside views were enhanced with the sighting of a quaint shepherd’s hut in the corner of a field and a couple of dew ponds suitably located for use by livestock, also, the group witnessed strategically placed winter supplementary feeding stations for seed-eating farmland birds.

As Members made their way back to their starting point 20 or so Corn Buntings were seen perched along the top of a row of saplings. Encouraging signs of spring were apparent with the sound of Sky larks in the distance, hawthorns just coming into leaf and Lords-and-Ladies plants peering out along the edges of the hedgerows. All welcome reminders of warmer days to come and a chance to explore the countryside further.

 

 

Another Urgent Appeal!

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We are still under attack by the developers. While we wait for Arun District Council’s decision on the 70 houses on Lansdowne Nursery and the 48 houses off Kingston Lane, and there is still time to object to the 133 houses opposite Sainsbury’s (A/2/23), we now have the application for 112 houses at Highdown Vineyard (F/180/22/OUT).

All this in addition to the 76 houses at Roundstone Farm and the 193 houses at Rustington Golf Centre and we still have the Court of Appeal case on Chatsmore Farm to come.

The Highdown Vineyard application is, of course, like all the others, contrary to Arun’s Local Plan and the Council must refuse it. The planning arguments are very clear and straightforward: the Gaps, agricultural land, wildlife, Highdown and the National Park, the isolation of the estate north of the very busy A259, the extra traffic on that already congested road, the lack of a safe crossing for pedestrians, the lack of school places, the demand on oversubscribed GP surgeries and other infrastructure.

Please show Arun District Councillors how much we value this Gap and how we deplore the digging up of the vineyard in order to plant a housing estate. The houses would not benefit anyone in Arun who is in housing need.  This is simply a money-making scheme.

You can see the details of the Highdown Vineyard planning application at:

https://www1.arun.gov.uk/aplanning/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=FG/180/22/OUT

Please highlight and right hand click the above link then click on the ‘Enter Comment’ tab to have your say.

You can also send your objection by email: to planning@arun.gov.uk – using the above planning application reference number.

Ed Miller

 

Shepherds of the South Downs – by Ian Everest

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The members and guests of Ferring Conservation Group welcomed Ian Everest for a return visit, this time to give a talk about the lives and times of shepherds of the South Downs. Ian’s father was a farm worker in the village of Bishopstone where Ian was raised and this kindled a keen interest in farming, with a focus on the Shepherds of these ‘Chalk Uplands’.

Although a Shepherd was the most important worker on the farm they were paid a pittance despite their knowledge and expertise. They would have to be knowledgeable about the many diseases of sheep as well as calculations regarding their feed requirements.

For the past 200 years or so South Downs Sheep have been one of the most popular breeds in the country and the downland from Shoreham to Eastbourne supported 400,000 sheep, the highest population per acre in the world.

Ian informed us that John Elman was the first shepherd to breed South Down sheep, which became a favourite and the predominant breed in this area for many years – his tomb is in Glynde Cemetery.

Ian regaled many interesting facts including that Shepherds often placed orphaned and sick new born lambs in large heaps of steaming dung up to their heads in frosty weather, to keep them warm. Also that Shepherds would have a section of fleece placed inside their coffin so that God would know they had been busy tending their sheep and therefore ‘unable to attend church’!

Lewes hosted one of the many sheep fairs and used to attract over 40,000 sheep. It was also the venue where the best Shepherds would be approached by neighbouring farmers to come and work for them. This usually resulted in a pay rise! Sadly Findon is now the only sheep fair that exists today in this area and takes place the second weekend in September.

In the second half of the meeting Graham Tuppen presented the Nature Notes slot and displayed to the audience fascinating photographs of the stone patterns that are regularly produced on Ferring beach. Graham managed to speak to the artist one day and he explained to Graham that the patterns actually have meaning. Graham was delighted to say that signs of spring had arrived with the odd Crocus showing through in sheltered spots and some beautiful bright pink dwarf Cyclamen in his garden. Sadly a part decomposed young dolphin had been washed ashore and was found by a member’s dog on the beach. Also an adult hedgehog had been found in a member’s garden again by an inquisitive dog. Three Grebe, a Kingfisher, Snipe, twenty Oyster Catchers, a flock of Sanderlings and a Cormorant had all been seen in the vicinity.

Ed Miller concluded the meeting with news on the planning front:

The Lansdowne Nursery application is still to be decided.

Comments can still be submitted on the proposed housing estate on land at Kingston Lane, Littlehampton and also at Ham Manor on the land alongside the A259 (opposite Sainsburys at Rustington).

The building work on the approved housing estate on Rustington Golf Course has already commenced as well as on the Roundstone Farm site.

The Persimmon Homes planning application for the Chatsmore Farm site is still with the Court of Appeal.

Plans for the possible Highdown Vineyard housing estate has still not been submitted