Nature

Lots of people like the long grass around the edges of the Recreation Ground which is helping wildflowers and insects.

But this has to be cut at least once a year or else the grass forms a thick thatch and wildflowers can’t survive.

And then all the cuttings have to be removed to reduce soil fertility which is the key to helping more wildflowers in the future.

The mowing will take place fairly soon and then it’s hoped that lots of parishioners will join a ‘Community Hay-Day’ by bringing rakes and wheelbarrows on Saturday 7th – from 10am.

Lou Payne, from Hampshire County Council, provided a fascinating evening in August with a very informative talk followed by a walk to spot and identify local bats flying near the village pond.

Lou explained that bats are the only mammals that can fly and that there are over 1,000 different species in the world. Whilst some sleep by hanging upside down, others wedge themselves into crevices in buildings or trees. 

They are not blind but use echolocation (navigation by sound) as well as their eyes to help them hunt at night.  

A guided bat walk in the evening, providing an opportunity to see and hear bats in their natural environment.

It’s also hoped that we will be accompanied by a bat carer this year who can bring some of her permanent bats for people to see in a special container. 

These are bats that have been rescued but will never be fit for release and are now kept as ambassadors for educational purposes under her licence. 

This has proved popular elsewhere: helping to educate and enthuse people about bat conservation.

Life on Earth would not exist without fungi!  Without the recycling activities of fungi, the world’s ecosystems would soon run out of nutrients. Plants would not be able to grow and our food would become depleted.

Led by HCC’s Shona Jenkins, this event is to help people identify species of fungi. In previous years a wide range of weird and wonderful ones have been found, highlighting the importance of the countryside around Buriton. 

Dozens of people took the opportunity to visit a range of gardens and public open spaces around the village on 2 June and saw how the community is helping nature with some relatively simple initiatives.

With nine venues on the trail this year, as well as plant and seed stalls, there were plenty of examples about how to help cater for wildlife.

The variety of gardens were providing food and homes for birds, bugs, beetles, butterflies, hedgehogs and water creatures.

An opportunity to visit a range of gardens and public open spaces around the village to see how they are catering for wildlife.

Each garden will show some simple renaturing initiatives to help creatures and the planet. Ask each of the hosts for details.

There are lots of wonderful plants and creations to see - as well as Cream Teas and Cakes at St Mary's church.  

The map indicates the route of the trail and guides will be available on the day at both Tithe House and at the church.

This should be an opportunity to see a good range of orchids – and more … 

Experts will be on hand to identify the orchids and other rare plants which can be found in this small Nature Reserve on the South Downs above the village. 

Visit any time from 10am to 12.30pm. 

There is now some limited parking near the Nature Reserve (grid reference SU 749 195) but it’s a lovely walk from the village pond and up the Milky Way. 

The entrance into the Nature Reserve is approximately SU 748 192.

Despite an occasional shower of rain, a small group from the Petersfield Area Lichen Enthusiasts revealed a fascinating new world to about fifteen villagers in St Mary’s churchyard in March.

Lichens are found in a variety of colours, a range of shapes & sizes, and they grow at the North Pole, the South Pole and everywhere in between. They are not a single organism but are a fascinating mixture of a fungus and algae. 

You may not know about it, but Buriton is the site of an annual migration in late winter or early spring when common toads travel back to their breeding areas: usually on the first warm, damp evenings of the year (February to April).

Toads spend the majority their year on land, in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. They are nocturnal creatures, and hibernate each winter in frost-free undergrowth or holes. Every Spring they must return to the water to breed.

There’ll be a ‘Seed Swap’ at the next community coffee morning on Saturday, 2^nd March: 10.30-12.30 in the village hall.

Buriton’s environmental group (BEA) will be giving away some packs of wildflower seeds so you can make your own wildflower patch at home to help our bees and other pollinators do their job to keep us and other wildlife well fed.    

And it’s hoped that gardeners will share and swop their seeds to save a few pennies and avoid waste.