The Long Walk Home – 26 July

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After a gap of several years Michael Blencowe returned to Ferring Conservation Group to regale members and visitors alike with tales of his epic walk of 348 miles from his current home in Sussex back to his childhood roots in Devon.

Now a freelance naturalist, author and wildlife guide, Michael felt compelled to complete this walk after suffering what he was told to be a heart attack, which thankfully turned out to be a false alarm. Michael has a unique ability to educate and entertain us all at the same time and in March 2023 laden with an enormous rucksack containing 15 maps, numerous blister packs, a jar of Bovril etc, and with the aid of walking poles, he set out on the first leg of his journey walking from Small Dole to Amberley. Blistered feet were a big problem for Michael and set in soon after departure, so Michael’s blister packs were soon depleted.

Along the route Michael visited the charming 13th century church of St Andrew’s in Didling known as the Shepherd’s Church nestled in the South Downs in an isolated spot – it has no electricity supply and is lit by candles. When a shepherd was buried, traditionally a piece of sheep’s wool was placed in his folded hands – this was to ensure that at the Pearly Gates, St Peter would understand that the shepherd was often absent from church as he had to tend his sheep.

Michael delighted in the wildlife that he encountered along the route including Yellowhammers, boxing Hares, Redwing, Fieldfare and Peregrine Falcons to name but a few. On reaching Dorset on Day 10 with over 100 miles covered, Michael woke to find a thick layer of snow had obliterated many landmarks making his journey difficult to navigate. As the snow melted and with a splendid view of the Jurassic coastline visible he made his way inland to the town of Bridport. The South West Coastal Path lay 14 miles away towards Lyme Regis and then a further 10 miles into Beer and his home county of Devon.

It was around this time that Michael decided to exchange his large backpack for a much smaller version which made his walk through to Dartmouth much easier. Seeing much of the Gorse in bloom lifted Michael’s spirits as he continued his journey to the town of Salcombe and in doing so completing approximately 300 miles. Passing the Start Point Lighthouse at Kingsbridge, then through Bantham, Bigbury with views of Burgh Island, Ermington, Elburton and Yealmpton and finally arriving at his childhood home in the city of Plymouth – 22 days and 348 miles later. With great relief he had achieved his goal but he did note that the journey back to Michael’s home in Sussex by car took only 4 hours.

Graham Tuppen presented the Nature Notes slot after the usual break for refreshments by showing members a series of excellent photographs including a Cinnabar moth on a Ragwort plant, a Cricket on a Marigold flower and the beautiful wild flower bed in the Glebelands recreation ground (all of the wild flower beds in the village have been exceptional this year). A photograph of the blue flax flowers growing in the fields of Chatsmore Farm plus a six-spot Burnet Moth on a Round-headed Rampion plant. There were also reports of Little Egrets and Herons on the Ferring Rife, together with sightings of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tits and a Buzzard.

A planning update was delivered by Stephen Abbott to conclude the meeting, with no further planning applications submitted.

The additional house in the garden of 44, Ferringham Lane had been refused by Arun DC and an Arun proposal to increase the number of beach huts along this stretch of the coastline is under consultation with the relevant Parish Councils, including Ferring.

Horse Chestnut by Michael Blencowe for Sussex Wildlife Trust

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Far, far away in the south-east corner of Europe, the Balkan Mountains tower over the landscape. Their valleys were once home to the fearsome Thracian tribes, who made empires tremble when they rode screaming into battle on their wild horses. But even more ancient battles were being fought deep in these majestic mountains.

Here in the Balkans, there grew a strange and mighty tree. Its huge seeds were encased in spiky armour and its leaves were like giant hands which cast shade all around. But this tree had been cursed. Each year a plague of tiny moths would attack the tree, their caterpillars would burrow inside every leaf. Green leaves turned to brown, leaving the tree apparently lifeless and defeated. Yet each year the tree would return with renewed green vigour, and each year the moths would attack with the same resolve. And so, for centuries the tree and the moth remained trapped in the Balkan Mountains, locked in their epic, age-old battle.

Then one day men came from the west, discovered this magnificent tree, gathered its seeds and planted them in their world. And so it was that the branches and the empire of the Horse Chestnut spread across Europe’s parks and gardens. People admired it and reclined in the shade of its broad palmate leaves. Schoolboys used its seeds to fight their own playground battles. The conker tree had conquered the continent. Here in this new world the curse of the moth had been lifted and the Horse Chestnut flourished. Meanwhile, the tree’s nemesis, not a particularly strong flyer, remained imprisoned in the remote valleys of the Balkan Mountains for centuries, more myth than moth. Then, one day, the modern world arrived. Construction workers building roads through the mountains were unwittingly building the perfect means for the moth to escape and spread. Now all it needed was a lift. So, the moth stuck out its six thumbs and hitched a ride.

Incredibly, the moth, just 5mm long, was able to disperse by grabbing on to passing vehicles. And so, like the ferocious Thracian tribes, the moth rode into battle. Screaming along highways, motorways, and autobahns on Volvos, Citroens, Fiats and Fords. The ancient battle spilled out from the Balkans as the moth was chauffeur driven to every Horse Chestnut tree in Europe. The Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner moth was first discovered, identified and named in Greece in 1984. Twenty years later, in 2004, an innocent motorist pulled off the A27 in to the University of Sussex car park, unaware they had brought a sinister stowaway into Sussex. Since then, every Horse Chestnut in Sussex has been moth-eaten. Look to the leaves and you’ll see the great Balkan battle raging right on your doorstep.

Ends

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife.

We rely on the support of our members. Please consider joining us. Your membership will help us challenge decisions that threaten wildlife, care for more than 30 nature reserves, and inspire the next generation about the wonders of the natural world. It’s easy to join online at sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join

Knepp Wildland Estate presentation – 28 June

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Leaving behind a career in IT and Telecommunications, Mark McManus decided to venture down a very different path and indulge his passion for wildlife as he became an Assistant Warden for the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks Reserve and then a Ranger for the South Downs National Park Authority.

Mark now happily imparts his vast knowledge to the many visitors on safari tours around the Knepp Estate and is very much a member of the team there. He came along to Ferring Conservation Group’s June meeting to update members with the latest news of this trailblazing rewilding project.

In the twenty or so years since Knepp began rewilding, extremely rare species have thrived including Turtle Doves, Nightingales, Peregrine Falcons and Purple Emperor butterflies as well as more common species. Moving away from intensive farming has demonstrated how natural regeneration has created new habitats from grassland and scrub to open-grown trees and wood pastures attracting wildlife from far and wide.

Without free-roaming grazing animals, Mark explained the emerging scrub would soon turn into closed-canopy woodland. Over the years the physical disturbance created by grazing animals stimulated a complex mosaic of habitats allowing a more open form of wood-pasture. Although as many ancient breeds as possible were introduced, Tamworth Pigs were substituted for Wild Boar and Exmoor ponies were established for their hardiness and ability to thrive in all sorts of habitat. Roe, Fallow and Red deer roam freely alongside Old English long-horn cattle.

Mark explained that one of the Knepp Estate’s priorities is to liaise with neighbouring landowners to encourage them to allow strategic wildlife corridors, such as in the Chichester area, which links the South Downs National Park with the coastal harbours. This will allow wildlife to move freely across the county.

Two beavers were released into a licensed enclosure in February 2022. Since then, they have had an astonishing impact on their environment, creating impressive dams, building up their lodge and coppicing the surrounding woodland.

Mark took pride in announcing that in addition to Knepp becoming home to the first 2 nesting pairs of wild Storks to breed in the UK for over 600 years in 2020, last year the project has gone from strength to strength with 9 successful nests.

It is hoped that the potential reintroduction of Wildcat and Pine Marten will be possible in the future.

Graham Tuppen then presented the Nature Notes session with photographs of Wall Lizards spotted at West Worthing railway station and a tree completely covered in webs made by the caterpillars of Ermine Moths seen by the roadside at Long Furlong. Graham then showed a beautiful photograph of a field of Native Field Poppies and Phacelia also in the Long Furlong area. Bee Orchids were in bloom at Highdown Gardens while Common Spotted Orchids, Wild Thyme and Birds Foot Trefoil were seen at Cissbury Ring, together with Wild Carrot, Ladies Bedstraw and Yellow-rattle.

To conclude the meeting Stephen Abbott updated members on the latest planning news advising that the planning application submitted on behalf of Greystoke Manor care home for a two-story extension had been withdrawn. Also, the application for an additional house at 44 Ferringham Lane is yet to be decided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coppicing presentation – 31 May

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The ancient skill of coppicing was the fascinating subject that Clive Cobie covered at the Group’s May meeting to enlighten members and visitors. Clive is the Centre Manager for Shadow Wood near Billingshurst – a 63-acre bluebell wood in the heart of the Weald Downlands.

Clive explained why this traditional form of woodland management serves two important functions: to provide a renewable source of wood for fuel and fencing and to allow selected trees space to grow to full maturity for subsequent cropping as timber. A very useful effect is that this procedure also lets in light to the woodland floor, allowing plants and flowers growing there to regenerate along with their dependent wildlife – the word ‘copse’ denotes a wood that was once coppiced.

Coppicing means cutting the tree down to ground level to allow new shoots to spring up from the base. This practice stimulates the trees natural power of regeneration as it encourages the tree to produce new poles of wood year after year. Clive explained that as the years go by a coppiced tree will start to form a stool and shoots will be thrown up from this and should be cut back to within 5-8cm of this wood. The most suitable trees for coppicing are Chestnut, Silver Birch and Hazel which should be cut on a rotation of 7 years.

After a break for refreshments Graham Tuppen filled the popular Nature Notes slot with news of sightings of Early Purple Orchids during a visit to Patching Woods. Graham had also spotted Common (smooth) Newts in his garden supposedly from his next-door neighbour’s pond. Graham showed two impressive photographs by Peter Phelps of an adult Cockchafer and a Common Toad, with Peter Dale managing to photograph an Azure Damselfly by the Ferring Rife, where there had also been a recent sighting of a Water Vole, which was welcome.

Stephen Abbott concluded the meeting by updating the audience with news of local planning issues. The Call-In submission to the Secretary of State was not successful for the 47 houses approved to be built on the land adjacent to Kingston Lane, East Preston. The 3 houses proposed for a garden behind Ferring Nurseries has been rejected, along with an additional dwelling at the back of 4 Sea Lane. A planning application for a two-storey rear extension to Greystoke Manor care home has also been submitted.

 

 

 

Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery presentation – 26 April

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Ferring Conservation Group’s April meeting had a very interesting, and well-presented talk on the History and Wildlife of Broadwater Cemetery – one of Worthing’s oldest burial grounds, now a nature reserve but still visited by family members of those who were buried there in its latter years. ‘Friends of Broadwater Cemetery’ document its history (which goes back to 1861) and, in cooperation with Worthing Borough Council, maintain its extensive grounds in a way which preserves and encourages the wide range of wildflowers, birds and other animals, and butterflies.

Debra Hillman, the Chairman of the ‘Friends’ talked about the early days of the cemetery and some of the well-known local people buried there, including the naturalists W H Hudson and Richard Jefferies. Less well known were the 115 victims of the Worthing typhoid epidemic of 1893, to whom there is a common memorial. But the old Chapel, with its splendid interior, is a listed building.

Paul Robards leads the work on keeping the cemetery’s extensive grounds tidy and removing the ivy which quickly grows over the headstones, hiding the inscriptions and the stories they tell. He is also a lifelong naturalist and does everything he can to preserve and encourage the abundant wildlife – which includes slow worms, many songbirds, and a wide variety of butterflies. He showed some excellent photographs to illustrate his talk, and Conservation Group members were encouraged to join one of the Cemetery Tours, on the first Saturday of every month in Spring, Summer and Autumn,

The Group held its AGM later in the meeting. Pete Coe was elected Chairman, David Bettiss as Secretary and Ed Miller has taken over as Membership Secretary.

July events

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Sunday 14 July – litter clean up of central part of Ferring Village. Please meet on Village Green at 11am, and equipment and high vis jackets will be provided. We plan to clean up the Green and Glebelands Rec (and surrounds), and by coincidence this is the day after the Ferring Festival so a good opportunity to remove any litter.

We will also be having stand at the Festival in conjunction with Ferring History Group on the day before (Saturday 13th), and we’ll be in a marquee at Glebelands. This will be between 11am and 4pm.

On the following Tuesday (16th), we will be carrying out our contribution to the national Big Butterfly Count organised by Butterfly Conservation, and as last year, this one will be at Cissbury Ring, where we’ll be meeting at the top car park at 11am. This site is one of the very best for butterflies (both in numbers and different species) in the whole of the South East, so a good opportunity to learn about them while counting for the survey. Feel free to bring a picnic, especially if the weather is nice.

*UPDATE AS OF MONDAY 1700 – the butterfly count tomorrow (Tuesday) has been postponed as the weather forecast is not conducive for the appearance of butterflies. The provisional replacement date will now be 1100 on Thursday 25 July, and this will take place unless we advise of another weather related change*

Ferring Rife water quality testing with St Oscar Romero school

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With clipboards at the ready around 30 students recently joined Ferring Conservation Group, in a morning and afternoon session, on their monthly water quality testing of the Ferring Rife.

The Group’s new Chairman Pete Coe gave an introductory talk advising the students of why the river is tested regularly and ways in which rivers can become polluted through human activity. Pete went on to give examples of possible local issues contributing to this.

A member of the Group and long-time resident Peter Dale then informed the students of the history of the Rife including the efforts made to alleviate flooding of nearby properties.

Group Secretary David Bettiss then spoke to the students regarding the testing scheme used and the levels of contaminants looked for to ensure good water quality essential for a healthy ecosystem. David then proceeded to gather water from the Rife and commenced the testing process advising the students at every stage and asking for some assistance along the way. David explained that the results of the exercise were not only manually recorded but also entered into the Angling Trust App. This nationwide project hopes to allow further understanding of how agriculture and sewage disposal are the largest contributors to poor water quality in our waterways.

Measurement of surface water flow is an important component of many water quality monitoring projects. Aquatic life support is directly influenced by streamflow and calculation of pollutants requires knowledge of water flow. Therefore, with help from several of the students, Group member Ian Foster conducted a basic water flow test.

The students carried out this exercise as part of their John Muir Award scheme and this gave them the opportunity to become ‘Citizen Scientists’ helping them to develop and learn and become conscious of the impact of their actions on others and on the environment around them.

Ferring Conservation Group look forward to working with the school on projects in the future.

Purple Emperor by Michael Blencowe for Sussex Wildlife Trust

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In any book on British butterflies, you’ll find our 58 species segregated into social ranks: the common browns, the blue-collar blues, the working-class whites. But turn the page, past the lepidopteral lower-classes, and you’ll find a butterfly so unique, so magnificently majestic, so breathtakingly beautiful that for centuries British naturalists have bowed before it. Draped in resplendent robes of iridescent amethyst, obsidian, and ermine the Purple Emperor has to be one of the most impressive animals on our island. In July the purple reign begins.

Aside from an alluring appearance, Emperors also possess that combination of rarity and elusiveness which has elevated them into an almost mythological figure: a butterfly bigfoot. How a large, shiny, purple butterfly manages to exist undetected in our countryside is down to an arboreal existence. Purple Emperors spend almost all their time on lofty thrones high above our woodlands. If we’re lucky we may glimpse the glide of a wide-winged silhouette as we stare sore-necked and squinting at the Sycamore skyline. Up there, in their canopy kingdom, Emperors compete in a power struggle for territory and males gather for summer tree-top tournaments. Their wings flash as they clash in acrobatic aerial jousting, and they spar and spiral high into the Sussex skies. The Emperor’s ferocity and fearlessness in the defence of his realm are famous. Butterflies, bumblebees and other insects get a battering if they trespass and, incredibly, bemused birds (including Sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, gulls and herons) also receive a warning wing-slap.

Emperors don’t lower themselves to feast on flowers like other butterfly riffraff. The Emperor sups sugars by quaffing only the finest honeydew distilled by aphids in the treetops. Yet, in complete contrast to its aristocratic high life, the Emperor has some dirty habits which drag him down to the filthy forest floor. To get his majesty’s mojo working he requires a mid-morning meal of minerals, which he obtains by probing his proboscis into the most disgusting muck he can find. Dog poo, used nappies, dead animals, sweaty feet – nothing is too repugnant. It’s like finding the King rummaging through the bins at the back of Tesco.

The female Empress does not have the shining sheen or horrid habits of the Emperor but she too descends to lower levels searching shady Sallows for a place to lay her eggs. Camouflaged caterpillars munch from August to June before giving rise to another distinguished (but disgusting) dynasty.

Recently, the Emperor has extended his empire eastwards. Once a butterfly of north-west Sussex it can now be found all across the north of the county and has been reported around Uckfield – there have even been rumoured sightings in the very heart of Brighton – so keep your eyes to the skies.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife. We rely on the support of our members. Please consider joining us. Your membership will help us challenge decisions that threaten wildlife, care for more than 30 nature reserves, and inspire the next generation about the wonders of the natural world. It’s easy to join online at sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join

Village Green Community Project morning

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We recently held our monthly Community Project activity, and this time we returned to the Village Green. Thank you to those members who helped out but we could always do with a few more if you’re able to help. It’s only for an hour or so, and always on the first Thursday of the month, starting at 10am. We publicise the location to meet every time, and this is via our regular e mails to registered members and also on this website. It’s a very friendly time.

Here are a few photos of the work we carried out on the Green – tidying up the beds leading from Ferring Street and uncovering the line of Rosemary bushes there, as well as working on the herb bed and shrubs by the playground and finally the shrub bed on the Rife Way side. It certainly looks a lot better there now.

The Sea Lane boat

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At our most recent Community Project morning in May, the boat at the foot of Sea Lane received some much needed refurbishment due to it being overwhelmed by weeds and some inappropriate plants. The project was originally initiated some years ago by our late member, Tricia Hall, and it was always the intention to focus on maritime plants due to the location of the boat close to the sea, rather than the usual annual bedding plants seen in such displays.

On the day, the old plants were dug out and sorted, with the strongest being retained, and the top level of old compost and shingle was removed. This was then replaced by new compost and pea shingle, both very kindly donated by local businesses  – Ferring Nurseries and Benton Weatherstone – to whom we’re very grateful. Finally, the original plants were replaced, together with another couple of new plants again donated by the nursery, and we hope they will now thrive without unwanted competition, whilst being attractive to pollinators.

We also plan to install a small plaque on the stern of the boat to indicate that it is maintained by volunteers from Ferring Conservation Group.