Horndean Wildlife : Wildlife : The South Down Group of Hampshire Wildlife Trust

Wildlife and Conservation in the Horndean Area

Hampshire Wildlife Trust Southdown Group

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The South down Group was formed in the autumn of 1997 for members of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, their friends and all those interested in local wildlife and the natural environment living in the countryside lying between Petersfield area in the north and Portsdown Hill in the south. This includes Blendworth, Cowplain, Clanfield, Denmead, Hambledon, Horndean, Lovedean, Purbrook, Rowlands castle, Waterlooville and Widley.


The South Down Group Team All no's local code 023
Chairman	Peter Leversha	92592711
Treasurer	Pennie Medland	92253293
Membership	Sylvia Leversha	92592711
Newsletter/Website	John Vigay	92592647
Team Members:	Mike Ashton, Anne Dale, Roger Labrum, Lindsay and Julian Stevens

The South Down Group Newsletter is published twice a year in February and September and is sent to all members on request. Our talks and speakers cover a wide range of topics, many relevant to todays changing environment and there is always an opportunity for questions and discussion. We would like to hear from anyone that has ideas or topics for future meetings. On these web pages there is information on the local wildlife habitats and on surveys and conservation projects being carried out locally. We ask everyone to 'do their bit' for wildlife and countryside and look forward to seeing you at our meetings ahead. If you have not been to any of our meetings before - don't be shy, give it a try, especially the new members in this area. The Editor (JV) would like to thank those that have made contributions to these pages.

Stand of Hampshire Wildlife Trust and SDGroup at QE Country Park on 11th May (c/o CPRE)	Stand of Hampshire Wildlife Trust and SDGroup at QE Country Park on 11th May (c/o CPRE)	Display of South Down Group and Hampshire WT at Catherington Lith on 18th May (Horndean PC)	Display of South Down Group and Hampshire WT at Catherington Lith on 18th May (Horndean PC)
Bluebells and wood anemones seen on 23rd April at Lowton's Copse	Bluebells and wood anemones seen on 7th May at Yoell's Copse	A fine patch of Toothwort along Ham lane on 7th May	Group studying trees at Yoell's Copse on 7th May

DIARY Dates for 2013

Tue 19^th March 2pm	*An Early Spring Walk in the Catherington Area* Come and look for early spring flowers and birds in Catherington Lith and Down. Park carefully and meet in Highcroft Lane, Horndean (Map Ref: SU 702 136) For more info. contact John Goodspeed on 9222 1361 or 078 1143 5252. Dogs on leads welcome.
Wed 20^th March 7.30pm	*Life in the Leaf Litter* Dr June Chatfield will give an illustrated talk on the importance to ecology and wildlife of dead wood and composting and the surprising variety of wildlife beneath our feet
Sun 31^st March 12.30pm	*Easter Egg Hunt in Park Wood* Woodland fun for all the family plus path and ditch work for volunteers (£1 to non-members)
Wed 17^th April 7.30pm	*Growing Wildflowers and 'Weeds' for Wildlife* After a very brief 'AGM' of the SouthDowns and Horndean Biodiversity Groups, there will be a talk by Jon Stokes of the Tree Council on ways of attracting wildlife into our gardens. There will also be displays of pictures of local wildlife and the local 'BAP'. Please give nominations for new members to join our committees BEFORE this meeting. This meeting will be at the usual venue - St Wilfrid's church hall and will finish by 9.30pm
Tue 30^th April 7.30pm	*AGT (=annual get together) of Friends of Park Wood* Andrew Watts will be giving a wildlife talk and show some of his superb photographs. All are welcome.
Tue 7^th May 6.30pm	*Ancient Lanes, Hedgerows and Bluebell Woods* Join us on a circular walk and see at least 24 species of native trees at their best, incl.some rare species in Yoell's Copse. Handout available. Meet at Catherington Down car park opp. the school (MR: SU 695 144) Post code PO8 0TD
Wed 8^th May 7.00pm	*Spring on the Butser Hill Slopes* Short walk on steep slopes to find spring wildflowers and birds. Meet & park with care in Limekiln Lane (MR: SU710 198) Details from John Goodspeed on 07811 435252.
Sat 11^th May 10am - 4pm	*WOODLAND FESTIVAL in Park Wood* Organised by Friends of Park Wood, Cowplain, free entrance, all welcome
Wed 29^th May 7.00pm	*Shoulder of Mutton Hill (N.of Petersfield)* Walk up Shoulder of Mutton Hill, return past Week Green Farm, about 3 miles incl. some steep slopes. Park in road nr Steep church 1 mile north of Petersfield (MR: SU 746 253.For more info. contact Andrew Powling on 023 9225 8457 or E-mail apowling01@btinternet.com Dogs on lead welcome.
Sat 15^th June 10am - 1pm	*The Catherington Nature Trail* Circular walk seeing the natural and historical features of Catherington Down and Lith. See the flora and a panoramic view of the Solent. Meet at Catherington car park opp. the school along Catherington Lane PO8 0TD (MR: 058 192) For more information ring 023 92592647
Wed 26^th June 7.00pm	*Orchids on Noar Hill* Explore the ancient chalk pits for orchids and other wildlife. Park in the lane north of Charity Farm near Selbourne (MR: SU737 322) Some steep slopes, No dogs. On the following day Thurs. 27th June there will be a walk at Noar Hill starting 10.30am. Both led by plant expert Dr. Nigel Johnson (Tel:01489 877324)
Wed 10^th July 7.00pm	*Blendworth and Chalton Windmill* Climb from Blendworth up to Chalton Windmill looking mainly for wild flowers and enjoying the views. Meet and park by Blendworth church (MR: SU710 134) Some stiles to climb. Dogs on lead OK Info: 9222 1361
Sat 13^th July 9.30am	*Wildlife at Pagham Harbour RSPB Nature Reserve* A walk along the "Pools" and ditches to St Wilfrid's Chapel and the harbour entrance. See birds, flowers and dragonflies, led by Lawrence Holloway. If the weather is fine an afternoon visit to the new Medmerry reserve is possible. Meet at the visitor centre 1 mile south of Sidlesham on B2145 from Chichester, PO20 7NF. (MR: SU856965) Bring picnic lunch.

All the above talks are at St.Wilfrid's Hall, Padnell Road, Cowplain, PO8 8DZ [Streetmap] Parking into rear of hall via a road on the left.

7.30pm to 9.30pm. Admission £2.50 includes refreshments. Non-members are welcome so please bring family and friends.

Click here to visit our local wildlife habitats

Archive Photos and Event information

Details of our visits in 2008 and photos here

Web Sites with wildlife information and nature notes in S.E.Hampshire

South Down Group	wildlife.vigay.com/southdowns/
Park Wood, Cowplain	www.park-wood.org.uk
Portsdown Hill volunteers	www.portsdown.org
Rotherlands Conservation Group, Petersfield.	www.Rotherlands.co.uk
Brian Fellows	www.emsworthwildlife.com
John Goodspeed	www.havantnature.net
Ralph Hollins	homepage.ntlworld.com/ralph.hollins/
Alan Thurbon	ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/alanthurbon
Bluebell Wood, Clanfield	www.bluebellwood.wesnetservices.co.uk
Hampshire Wildlife Trust	www.hwt.org.uk
Horndean Parish Council	www.horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk/
The Sustainability Centre	www.earthworks-trust.com/
Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre	www.hants.gov.uk/biodiversity/hbic/

©John Vigay

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