News

This owl  has been spotted on a walk  and has been very patient with sightseers passing by - where is he perched?                                                                                                                                                                                     _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                            This second photo should be familiar to a few people - where was it please?                                                                                                                                                                      _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________         The last quiz puzzled a few people.       The stepping stones are next to the footbridge at Stedham Mill,  sometimes used by walkers to get to the other side and sometimes ignored by brave walkers with excellent boots. Some sensible people use the bridge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________            The snow scene in the second photo is a throwback to the last century, when winters were winters. This particular winter in 1987 had two days in January that were the coldest in Southern England since 1740, with some areas receiving 30" of snow.   For 6 days the temperature in Southampton did not get above 0 degrees and was mostly below 5c.                                                                                                                                                                       

Well, as a ladybird (or maybe a manbird?) I've spent the whole winter hiding in some crack in a wall. At last April comes and  it's  time  to go  and  find a  partner.  I  haven't  got  much  time  so  it's a bit annoying when this idiot try's to  creep up on  me and take my photo when I'm busy.                                   It's hard to hide when you have black spots on a red body.                                    I didn't really want to but I think I'll just have to fly away.       _____________________________________________________________________                                            First ladybird of 2020 spotted this year, in the Durleighmarsh area.

Came across these Early Purple Orchids today in a wood near Steep Marsh. Surprisingly large numbers and large specimens amongst the bluebells and primroses. Details of location can be supplied to anyone wishing to take their daily exercise in that direction.                 

This first photo is deceptively easy - that is, if you know the answer! However, you probably do, so where are these stepping stones?   Answer in a few  days.             _______________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                         This next photo is in Trotton Road and the building is the Dumpford Manor Farm. So the question is - when was the photo taken please? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Answers to the last quiz - the pig looking over the wall is in Ashfield Road, Midhurst.  The second one with the field full of barley and walkers was between Locksash Farm and Grevitts Copse, on the way to Up Marden from West Marden. SU7862 1370. It was a very hot day and we were all gratefull of the woods giving us some welcome shade.                                                                  Hope you are all keeping safe - don't eat too much - it's very easy!  

Many of us don't really want to wear a mask and we can easily say we can't get one - when the real reason is that some of us think we'd look silly. However this explanation FACE MASKS may help you to help others. The video at the end really says it all.      If you don't fancy a white medical thingy obscuring your mouth, why not be a trend-setter and just use a scarf or buff and perhaps tuck a paper towel in the folds?  It's not perfect but so much better than nothing!