Odiham Biodiversity Group - Newsletter April 2009

What’s that little white flower by the hedgerow?

Ian White who took a short course for us last year, is taking two further plant identification courses for us this summer. The first will be on Hedgerow herbaceous (non-woody) plants on Saturday 16th May. The course will run from10.30 until12.30 and if the weather is good we will be ‘in the field’. If you would like to join us please book your place by sending your name and contact details together with the £5 fee (please make cheques payable to the Odiham Biodiversity Group) to Sheila Bates, Parkside, Colt Hill, Odiham, Hampshire RG29 1AN.

Bird Sightings

Spring has definitely arrived when you hear the Chiffchaff and although later than previous years this distinctive sound has been heard for a few weeks now. Leslie saw a swallow at Broad Oak on the 6th April but has anyone seen a house martin or heard the cuckoo?

Flowers By The Footpaths

Odiham is criss-crossed with numerous footpaths (a map is available from Sheila or the Library – free of charge). But as you wander, look at the flowers growing alongside. The starry yellow Lesser Celandines are all over the place but at the back of Reyntiens View there is a giant version – a garden ‘escape’.

The Violets have been splendid this year – all sorts of varieties and colours from a lovely patch of white by the footpath going through Archery Fields to pink ones in the Churchyard (underneath the Yew to the left of the front of the church). As these flowers fade they are being replaced by Forget-me-nots and soon the Cow Parsley (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace) will be in flower – there will be a stunning display alongside the footpath in Palace Gate.

Butterflies

A century ago ragged-winged Commas had become very rare, confined to the Welsh Borders. Thankfully they have spread since then and are probably the commonest of the spring butterflies now emerging in Odiham. Sadly, the Small Tortoiseshell has taken the opposite journey and is a now a rarity. Please let us know if you are lucky enough to see one in the area. Peacocks, with their distinctive wing eye markings, are also out in reasonable numbers along with the bright yellow male Brimstones.

About to emerge from pupation are our distinctive Orange Tips and dark brown Speckled Woods which had an excellent year in 2008, possibly the best of all our local butterflies. Both favour the Canal and Common areas but could be seen almost anywhere in our parish.

Do remember that stinging nettles and jack-by-the hedge/cuckoo flower are foodplants for the caterpillars of these delightful insects so do think about sparing one sunny corner of the garden for these and other good old British weeds. Peanut feeders are great for the birds, but they'd doubtless prefer nice juicy natural insects where available!

Steve’s walks on Odiham Common

Steve Lyons Hart District Council’s Senior Ranger will be leading two walks on Odiham Common in May; an evening walk on Thursday 14th May and a Saturday morning walk on the 23rd May. Meet at 6.00 pm and 10.00 am respectively by the recycling bins at Colt Hill. Dogs on leads are welcome but wear stout footwear. As these are HDC walks they’re free!

Hedgerow Survey - the Final Push

We started a project to survey Odiham’s hedgerows in 2007, but the foot and mouth outbreaks and wet weather over the last two summers haven’t helped us. We are however, determined to finish the project this year, so if you would like to help (training will be given in the field) please contact Sheila on 01256 701187.

Report on walk and talk

Thank you to all who came to Peter Bickford’s inspiring talk on Dragonflies and the walk in Butter Wood, where we found all sorts of Violets, the fascinating but easily overlooked Townhall Clock and the elusive Daphne at Greywell. Tony has kindly written ‘the full works’ on the Violets that we saw – or didn’t see – just ask and I’ll forward a copy.

OTHER ORGANISATIONS EVENTS

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Spring walk on Greywell Moors Saturday 25th April, 10.30 am. Please contact Peter Vaughan on 01256 764225 for further details.

Bluebells Walk at Ellisfield Sunday 26th April 10.30 am. For more information please contact Ruth Cairns on 01256 326364.

Farmland Dawn Chorus at Tunworth. Sunday 3rd May 4.30 am. Please contact Amanda Bassett on 01256 381186 for more information.

Butterfly Conservation
Easter Stroll at Bentley Station Meadow Wednesday 15th April.

Walk to Health at Bentley Station Meadow Tuesday 5th May

Wednesday Wander at Magdalen Hill Down 6th May. Look at their excellent website www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/events.htm for more information.

RSPB
The evening talk is on 15th April and is entitled ‘Namibia’ and the outside meeting is at Blashford Lakes on the 19th April. Please contact Peter Hutchins on 01256 770831 or Maureen Brailey on 01256 702006 for more information.

For more information about the Odiham Biodiversity Group please contact Sheila Bates on 01256 701187.