Nature

Keir Smith of the Western Sussex Rivers Trust charity visited Buriton in November to give a talk in the village hall about the state of the water in our local streams and pond at the invitation of the Buriton Environmental Association. He was supported by Sian MacLeod and Elaine Bray, who as WSRT ‘water guardians’ monitor the water in our streams. Sian is also a WSRT trustee.

If you’ve never seen an owl close up before – this is your chance.

Kim Boog, from the Barn Owl Project Hampshire and Bird of Prey Hospital, will bring two of her rescued owls to the coffee morning in the village hall on Saturday February 1st (10.30-12.30).

Visitors can meet and take pictures of the owls which have been rescued but are unsuitable for release.

Kim will also chat to visitors about the perils owls face in the modern world, and her project’s work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing these beautiful birds.

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 latest guided event in the Chalk Pits Nature Reserve helped the fascinated group of villagers identify a wide range of species of fungi.

As in previous years, an intriguing variety of fungi were identified - from large bracket types to miniature growths on decaying wood.

All the National Parks in England joined together in October to publish a ‘case study poster’ about Nature Recovery, describing a wide range of projects across the country. 

The Parish Council’s work in Buriton was included as the highlight in the South Downs area, alongside projects on Lake Windermere, Hadrian’s Wall and elsewhere. 

For the last few years, the edges of the Recreation Ground have been allowed to grow long – with appreciation from villagers and wildlife.

But experts advise that the grass has to be cut at least once a year or else it 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.

Hampshire County Council has published a new video as part of its Nature Recovery series “Conserving our Wild”. 

This film focuses on the importance of pollinators and it highlights work being done in Buriton, including on the Recreation Ground. 

The film also features activities in Selborne and it can be seen on the County Council’s YouTube site: see here 

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.