Peartree Green – 25th October 2026
UncategorizedAfter a morning at Mayfield Park I travelled across town a mile to Peartree Green LNR. Here 16 attendees found 28 fungi species but just three were new to the site. These were wrinkled shield, pale brittlecap, and in the woodland, crab-scented brittlegill. Geoff Frampton also photographed a new fly for the reserve (pictured) –
Mayfield Park – fungus foray 25th October 2026
UncategorizedI (Phil Budd) tried a new venue for a fungus foray – the wonderful Mayfield Park in the south-east corner of the city. A crowd of 30 greeted me at the start as the volunteer group at the park is very active! 15 were still with me even after a sharp shower. Still it was
Southampton Old Cemetery – galls and leaf mines 10th October 2026
UncategorizedA small group of four came together in fine, sunny weather to hunt down leaf mines and galls on various trees and other plants in the old cemetery. The hedge by the Jewish cemetery was particularly productive with various mines and galls on holm oak and hornbeam as well as woolly beech aphid seen. Moth
Lord’s Wood, Redlodge Belt and Southampton Sports Centre 27th September 2026
Birds . Field Trip . Flora . Fungi . InsectsThis was primarily a bird walks with HOS but there were only 18 bird species for the 11 people present and all were common garden, park, and woodland species but one Buzzard was seen. Squirrels were everywhere and 2 Roe Deer seen in Lord’s Wood. A few insects like Hornet and Rhododendron Leafhopper were found.
RSPB Arne walk 19th September 2026
Birds . Field TripThis walk was led by Julian Moseley. Below is Julian’s account: A meeting in the welcome car park saw all 12 members trudge off to circuit the reserve. The day was dry and cool but slightly overcast and the list for the day started with Robin, Wren and Blue Tit but the harsh, crackling calls
Southampton Old Cemetery – 20th September 2026
Field Trip . Flora . Insects . UncategorizedThis was a pleasant sunny September afternoon insect walk around the old cemetery by the Common. There were five of us – four ladies and myself (Phil Budd) present. Using our eyes, close focusing binoculars, a sweep net and a beating tray we discovered quite an assortment of beasties. The highlights included the jumping spider
Arne RSPB Reserve in Dorset – 19th September 2026
Birds . Field Trip . Natural HistoryJulian led a bird walk on this superb heathland and woodland (birch and oak woodland)site. There were 12 attendees, mostly members of the Hampshire or Ornithological Society but any one who was also a member of the RSPB could park for free. The weather was dull but dry and relatively warm. Of the birds there
Peartree Green LNR 30th August
Insects . Natural History . Photography . Wild flowersAnother of our regular visits to Peartree Green LNR. A group of ten armed with cameras, beating trays, and sweep nets and being very careful to avoid all the dog excrement by the main path, searched for insects and other invertebrates. We added 9 invertebrate species to the reserve list, these included two recent arrival
Southampton Old Cemetery 22nd August
Insects . Natural History . Wild flowersA group of eight of us were thankful for cooler but sunny weather for this Saturday morning stroll. Much of the flora had shrivelled up after 7 weeks with no rain up to 18th August. We were pleased to find some Orpine still in bloom but it was obvious that work is required to remove
St Giles Cemetery, Winchester Moths and night insects 25th July
UncategorizedBy kind invite of Dave and Anna, who live adjacent to the cemetery, we ran a moth lamp over sheet at the gabions and three other traps were run from ‘9 til late’. 11 people attended the event. It was a typical warm night but a bit of breeze effected things as did the lack