Peartree Green – early spring stroll-22nd March 2026
Field Trip . Flora . InsectsA small but enthusiastic band of five SNHS and Friends of Peartree Green members enjoyed an early spring stroll in the hazy sunshine of a Sunday afternoon Peartree Green, between Woolston and Bitterne. We found several bee orchid rosettes, puzzled over a speedwell species – was it Green Field Speedwell? We weren’t sure. We found
Talk – ‘The Mysteries of Bird Migration’- by Keith Betton
UncategorizedOn Monday evening 9th March 2026 23 members of the society and invited members of the Hampshire Ornithological Society joined us at the Unity 12 Hall in Southampton to listen (and watch) Keith’s talk on bird migration. This was unusual subject for us and Keith was able to draw on his experience all over the
Shirley Pond Park at Lordsdale Greenway LNR 22nd February 2026
Birds . Bryophytes . Ferns . Flora . Insects . Natural HistoryA group of nine (seven SNHS members and two members invited from the Friends of Shirley Park) looked for wildlife between Old Mill Way and Dale Road in the new Lordsdale Greenway Local Nature Reserve. It rained most of the two hours but we carried on regardless. A particular highlight was the discovery of one
Southampton Old Cemetery early spring walk 8th March 2026
Birds . Flora . Natural HistoryNine members and guests of the society and the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery gathered for a short circuit of the 180-year old Victorian cemetery in dull weather conditions. We saw the expected mix of flora, including the first hybrid bluebells, and also lesser celandine, primrose, wood anemone, spring crocus, sweet violet and trees like
On not so little pines…
Natural History…do mighty Cedar trees grow. In this case, a Himalayan Cedar. Nature Note by Graham Manchip There is a tree in my local patch. I believe it to be a Himalayan Cedar Cedrus deodara around 30ft or more tall and, although I had seen the top, I had never seen the base as it was
A touch of summer…
Natural History . Photography…in frosty February. The opening of ‘Chasing Butterflies’ – a retrospective of John Vetterlein’s 13-year obsession with photographing butterflies – was absolutely heaving at the Harbour Lights Cinema in Southampton last evening. A selection of his best work is on display in the gallery space until the 27 February and covers common and less common
End of year party…
Natural HistoryThe common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a pretty gregarious animal. And even more sio when it comes to the huge flocks that appear from Novemeber to March or thereabouts. As we often do at Christmas, Jan and I took a trip to Ham Wall RSPB reserve in Somerset to see one of the biggest starling
Operation Wallacea
Natural HistoryOne of our members, Josh Phangurha, recently gave an illustrated talk to the Society on the Reptiles of Buton, Sulawesi. But behind the research is an unfolding tragedy for local people following a recent catastrophic tsunami in the region. Josh is now trying to raise funds for the local Red Cross appeal by selling prints of
An update from Peartree Green
Natural HistoryFrom Phil Budd As reported back in January the city council granted Peartree Green a Local Nature Reserve in November 2017. Following this, there was an official opening of the green on 7th April 2018 by Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith and Southampton City Council leader Simon Letts. Since then there have been many events
Any Eggsplanations for this?
Natural HistoryAt a recent meeting Cath brought out an egg (or was it?) for our inspection. It was sort of egg-shaped, although a little more symmetrical than most bird eggs. It seemed to have pores and felt light(ish) and was hard. Discussion ranged around turtle eggs, bird eggs, Cadbury Cream Eggs, oddly worn stones, or unusual