These pages are aimed at helping people to find out, support and become involved with wildlife conservation and natural habitats in the East Hampshire region from Purbrook to Butser, centred on Horndean.

If you have any queries or require more information on any topics in this section, please contact John Vigay

Latest Updates

• 11^th Oct 2019 - South Down Group Newsletter 60 for October 2019 (Part 1) 
• 11^th Oct 2019 - South Down Group Newsletter 60 for October 2019 (Part 2) 
• 17^th Oct 2016 - South Down Group Newsletter 55 for September 2016
• 22^nd Oct 2015 - South Down Group Newsletter 53 for October 2015
• 31^st Jul 2015 - South Down Group Newsletter 52 for July 2015
• 23^rd Feb 2015 - Moth Records for Horndean 2014
• 23^rd Feb 2015 - Moth Species Recorded in Horndean
• 23^rd Feb 2015 - South Down Group Newsletter 51 for February 2015
• 5^th Nov 2014 - South Down Group Newsletter 50 for October 2014
• 22^nd Jun 2014 - South Down Group Newsletter 49b for June 2014 - Page 1 and Page 2
• 10^th Apr 2014 - South Down Group Newsletter 49a for April 2014
• 9^th Nov 2013 - South Down Group Newsletter 48B for November 2013
• 10^th Oct 2013 - South Down Group Newsletter 48 for October 2013
• 21^st Jul 2013 - South Down Group Newsletter 47 for July 2013
• 3^rd Mar 2013 - South Down Group Newsletter for March 2013
• 9^th Oct 2012 - South Down Group Newsletter for October 2012
• 21^st Jul 2012 - South Down Group Newsletter for July 2012
• 23^rd Nov 2008 - Fungi page updated
• 24^th Aug 2008 - Moths trapped at Catherington Down

Throughout this website there are a number of photo galleries. By clicking on the small 'thumbnail' images you can enter the corresponding photo gallery and view the large images.

What can one say about February ? Very wet, cold, icy with a short spell of snow in Horndean. The photo gallery this month shows (1) and (2) Snow at Dell Piece West on 2nd February (3) Frost on leaves, a frequent sight this month and (4) the pond at Pyle Farm frozen over like most others.
(5) Our wild garden ponds were well frozen and water was put out for the birds together with plenty of seed on the bird table, this attracted many garden birds and as usual plenty of squirrels.(6,7 and 8). Some birds became aggresive particularly the blackbirds and collard doves that went for the wood pigeons and scared them away. Amongst the rarer birds we had regular visits from a great spotted woodpecker, nuthatches, hedge sparrows (and many house sparrows) and just one brief visit by a greenfinch. Of great interest, Stephen Harwood has spotted a barn owl flying into his barn loft.

A really cold start for the new year! All our pictures so far were made difficult because I was unable to feel my fingers. (1) Moles were very busy at Catherington Down and were still active at the end of January digging through hard frozen ground. (2) Frosted oak leaves at Dell Piece West on the 7th Jan, I notice one of the leaves is from a Turkey Oak. (3) and (4) were both taken at Catherington Down on the 9th Jan, the only bird seen was a kestel sitting in a tree hoping to spot a mouse.