July 25th. Baldwin's Hill (Birds)
Six members attended this meeting in the former survey
area. In spite of a few heavy showers, one whilst lunch was
taken, all members enjoyed this meeting. Amongst interesting
birds seen were a nuthatch, a moorhen feeding young, a tree
pipit in the cleared area, and blue-great-and coal-tits. A
number of fungi were seen and one smelt, — the stink-horn.
The others included two species of Amanita and the sulphur
tuft. Near the pond a considerable number of small frogs
were seen on the pathways and in the Forest. These had
apparently made their way from the pond into the Forest.
In some places it was difficult not to tread on them. At
the end of the meeting, some 25 different birds had been
seen or heard.
Mike Farker.
August 28th. General Meeting No.1175.
Skipper's Island
This meeting was held on a glorious day, — but a breezy
one. The 43 members who attended, all arrived safely on the
Island by about noon, and were got away by boats by 5.00pm.
Two groups were formed to explore the island. The Botanical
group found: hog's fennel (Peucedanum Offininale); parsley
Water-dropwort (Oenanthe lachenalis); lax-flowered sea
lavender (Limonium humile); dyers greenweed (Genista tinctoria);
adder's tongue(Ophioglossum vulgatum); rayless sea-aster
(Aster tripolium var. discoidens); several species of
Salicornia, S. perennis and S. gracillima.
Now that the sea wall is breached in places there are
areas flooded by tides and it is possible to see the
transition from grassland to saltings. The wind kept the
birds out of the way to a certain extent, and also the tide
was coming up. In spite of this, 30 different birds were
seen, Of interest were: grey and golden plover; common
sandpiper; a harrier; Wheatear; oyster-catcher; redshank;
kestrel; common and little terns. A number of butterflies
were seen, including red admiral, meadow brown and an
orange tip, At the end of the meeting, Mr. Williams and his
brother were thanked for their hospitality, and their tea.
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