Chailey Commons Society

Transcription

1 Chailey Commons Society E-Newsletter SPRING Page 1

2 CHAIRMAN S NOTES Welcome to the Spring 2015 Newsletter. I hope you like the cover picture this time it is taken on Memorial Common and shows the lovely different lichen and moss and fungi on this leaning tree. Also inside are two pictures of Memorial Common. The clearance of the birch and scrub have opened up this common and a new Interpretation Board is in place on the north side by the playing field and Yew Tree Cottages. The new Interpretation Boards give up to date information about the commons. Do have a look next time you are there and read them. If anyone would like to sponsor a board in memory of someone please let me know. The approximate cost is 625. Our programme of activities has been continuing with an April bird walk in search of warblers on Romany Ridge and a large crowd of over forty people came along to the Meet the Exmoor Ponies afternoon on the same common. The Exmoor Ponies are from the Sussex Pony Grazing and Conservation Trust. The weather has improved now and summer is around the corner. I look forward to seeing you at our activities. See you soon William What s coming up soon >>>>>>>>> MAY Saturday 30 th TREASURE HUNT Childrens Treasure Hunt on Memorial Common at p m.. Come and join Ian Woolsey and the intrepid Treasure hunters. Suitable for children 5+. Treasure Hunt Saturday May 30 th 2015 The Treasure Hunt will be on MEMORIAL Common starting at 2.15.p.m. Meet at the car park by the A272 JUNE Suitable for children 5+ and parents. (Please note the change from Romany Ridge Common) Saturday 13 th A walk along the River Ouse at Isfield with Jim Smith Former Water Bailiff. Meet at Sports Clubs car park by A272 at 1.30.p.m. then drive to Isfield. Further info. ring Linda Tuesday 16 th Evening Walk on Romany Ridge to see and hear the Nightjars. Meet at the car park at 8.45.p.m. Bring torches Finish in the dark Page 2

3 Our Photographic Competition Page 3

4 Notes from the Ranger Grazing project During April the sheep and ponies have moved back to the combined commons for the summer. This means that they could be found on or near the roads and I ask everyone to be vigilant and considerate when using these roads to avoid any undue accidents. Other work Significant removal of trees and scrub on Red House Common in compartment RH1 (19.5 hectares) and removal of birch scrub regrowth on scraped areas with follow up herbicide treatment.. Removal of trees and scrub on Pound Common in compartment P2 (5.5 hectares). Removal of trees and scrub on Romany Ridge Common in compartment RR2. (10 hectares). Fencing and gate repairs and maintenance. Answering queries and dealing with /phone calls from members of the public. Work to improve the grip on the cattle grid at the entrance to Chailey Heritage - this is ongoing. Stobs and reflectors fitted on Chailey Heritage cattle grid Additional stock netting added to cattle grid side fencing on Mill Lane to make them more secure. Clearance of birch and willow trees on Memorial Common by the crossing point to Pound Common to improve visibility for drivers/livestock crossing the road. Carried out by contractor. Removal of vegetation/scrub along fence line of Red House Common on A272. Carried out by contractor. 3 x volunteer days pulling/digging out birch saplings from scrape sites on Romany Ridge and Pound Common Page 4

5 Works planned over the coming months Fixed point photography to cover the Winter 2014 / Spring 2015 season (Ian Seccombe). Removal of vegetation/scrub along fence line of Pound Common along North Common Road. Hire of 13t excavator with flail attachment for 5 days on Red House Common to remove significant areas of gorse and small birch scrub. To be carried out by contractor. Rangers to undertake 1 day clearance saw training and assessment on Romany Ridge common to enable them to be able to clear large swathes of small sized scrub more efficiently. Removal of birch scrub regrowth on scraped areas on Pound Common and Romany Ridge Common with follow up herbicide treatment Coppicing of selected trees along the south side of the pond on Pound Common to let more light in and encourage aquatic flora and fauna Cut heather from Ashdown Forest and spread seed across recently scraped areas in strips - Memorial, Red House and Pound Commons. Tree thinning and scrub removal on Romany Ridge Common in the vicinity of Holford Manor lane - to be carried out by North Common Freeholders Ltd. Clearance of vegetation from the fence line to preserve fence life. Printing of new A1 interpretation panels for each common and installation of the boards Jo Heading (Senior Ranger) Rights of Way and Countryside Maintenance jo.heading@eastsussex.gov.uk (01273) Page 5

6 Membership Matters I would like to thank those patrons and Members who have already sent in their subscription renewals and the next big group of payments will come around the 1 st of February when the standing orders go through the accounts. There have been a small number who have not renewed for last year for one reason or another, but we were able to welcome the ten new members who joined at our Exhibition in September. I shall be sending out the new Membership cards when I have updated the records. The new Activities 2015 programme leaflet is available and I hope that everyone finds lots of the events interesting. Can be printed from the website. Thank you for your support of the Society Anne Marsden 59 Sunte Avenue, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 2AB members@chaileycommons.org.uk Spring on Memorial with the new Interpretation Board in place Page 6

7 Spring on Memorial - the wind catching the old Birch Tree The Sussex Pony Grazing and Conservation Trust The Exmoor ponies which are grazing on the commons are from this Trust. Here are some pictures of them on Romany Ridge Common Page 7

8 Meet the Exmoor Ponies Afternoon Sat 16 th May Here are Monty Larkin and Lisa with her own very tame Exmoor called Tiger Moth The Trust helps to protect valuable wildlife habitats of the Sussex High Weald and South Downs through the delivery of conservation grazing with rare breed Exmoor ponies. Most of the sites which the Trust graze are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protected for the rare plant assemblages and species they support. Exmoor ponies are a hardy native breed, ideally suited to this work, able to thrive on the relatively poor quality forage of nature conservation sites. Classed as endangered, their use across the country in this relatively new conservation role is helping to secure the future of the breed. If you would like to know more please have a look at their website - It is a charitable Trust and would welcome your support. They are currently raising funds for a new trailer and any help would be appreciated. Page 8

9 Meetings 2015 Saturday May 30 th 2.15.p.m. Outdoor Meeting TREASURE HUNT - Come and join Ian Woolsey and his intrepid treasure hunters on MEMORIAL Common. Suitable for children 5 and over. Please note change form Romany Ridge). Meet at car park off A272. Saturday June 13 th 1.30.p.m. Outdoor Meeting - A walk along the River Ouse with Jim Smith former water bailiff. Car Share Meet at Chailey Sports Clubs car park at 1.30.p.m.to drive to Isfield. Jim will show us the river and its history. Further information call Linda Kent on Tuesday June 16 th 8.45.p.m. Outdoor Evening Meeting Nightjar Walk on Romany Ridge. Come and see and hear the male birds churring on Chailey Commons. Meet at Romany Ridge car park. Bring torches Finish in the dark. Saturday June 20 th a.m. Coach Outing to Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve. Depart Chailey Sports Clubs car park by A272 North Chailey at a.m. Bring picnic lunch. Return approx p.m. Afternoon Tea stop at Barnsgate Manor. Bookings essential to Linda Kent on Approx. cost 15. Saturday July 25 th 2.15 p.m. Summer Butterfly Walk with Karen Pritty meet at Romany Ridge. Wednesday August 19 th a.m noon The Very Hungry Caterpillar Come along and see what you can find in our Parents and childrens Bug Hunt. Meet at Romany Ridge car park. Thursday August 20 th a.m. The Big Draw. As part of The Campaign for Drawing we are holding our own Big Draw Day. Please come along and try to create a masterpiece of your own on the day. Use your own materials or ours. In case of bad weather contact Linda Ball on Wednesday August 26 th 7.00.a.m. Early Bird Walk with Ian Woolsey. A walk on Romany Ridge Common followed by a hearty breakfast May we remind our members that they attend all the Society s meetings and events entirely at their own risk. The Society cannot take responsibility for loss of property or injury to persons during our events. Page 9

10 THIS MONTH - WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Now that Spring is well under way the bird song increases almost daily as more and more arrive and nest building continues. The swallows are already busy around us and the cuckoo is being heard. The Chiffchaff and the Blackcap, are on the commons now and the Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Redstart are arriving. Our iconic Nightjar be arriving from Africa and will hopefully come onto the commons. We shall do a walk on the evening of Tuesday 16 th June to look for them. Page 10

11 Emerging butterflies such as the Peacock, Holly Blue and Brimstone are great to see soon to be followed by the Orange Tip. There is a magnificent show of Hawthorn flowers now. Mostly white from two types of the bush the Common or the Midland. Very similar the Midland usually flowers earlier than the common. For the flowers the masses of Dandelion and Buttercup are colouring the fields and commons yellow and the dandelion seeds will be blowing everywhere soon. The Oak trees are now in full leaf and the Bluetits are collecting the caterpillars for their broods. The Goat Willow is shedding its seeds as well sending showers of fluffy clouds high into the sky. Enjoy the Springtime! Page 11