Wildlife recording and sampling David Beeson, June 2020 You are interested in the natural world. You keep your eyes open or go out actively looking for organisms. So, what do we do with what we see? How useful is that data? Here are my thoughts on wildlife data and an encouragement for us all toContinue reading “Sampling and Recording Data”
Category Archives: Ecology
Wild Gladiolus
Searching for the UK’s wild gladiolus David Beeson, 23rd June 2020 Gladiolus illyricus is found only in the New Forest. This is no garden escape; it is a true wild UK plant, just very rare. The plant was only ‘discovered’ in 1856, but must have been hiding away for hundreds of years and ignored byContinue reading “Wild Gladiolus”
Harewood in Summer
An ancient UK oak woodland in summer David Beeson. 21st June 2020 In the end the important thing is to add it all together. Most of us enjoy spotting things. As a kid it happened to be steam locomotives and then, thankfully, young ladies. I didn’t keep a ‘black book’ but I can recall allContinue reading “Harewood in Summer”
Edge of the A303, part 2
The UK has left the odds and sods spots for nature. We should be ashamed. Yes, France, Italy, Spain and the USA have some great locations to view wildspaces and the natural inhabitants that occur there. For example, the limestone meadows of the Dordogne, the Italian Dolomites with their iconic mammals, Grazelema and the lynxContinue reading “Edge of the A303, part 2”
No Cut (lawn) in May
Results from my non-cutting of my main lawn in May David Beeson 2nd June 2020 Sure, this is an eco / wildlife garden and we do attempt to be as positive as possible – yet, the flowers that have emerged this year have been a delight. The clay-over-chalk soil has been impoverished by cutting (andContinue reading “No Cut (lawn) in May”
Like Southern England 200 years ago
David Beeson 31st May 2020 Salisbury Plain To the west of Andover, the north of Salisbury and south of the M4 is Salisbury Plain. Worldwide this region is known for the enigmatic Stonehenge, Woodhenge and the other world-quality archaeological sites. They themselves merit a long journey, especially if you take the area seriously i.e. understandContinue reading “Like Southern England 200 years ago”
Foreign Travel – Wiltshire! Sidbury Hill Fort near Tidworth.
Sidbury Hill 6th May, 2020. David Beeson and John Solomon David Flora Sidbury Hill Fort is across the Hampshire county boundary and is located in Wiltshire, just west of Tidworth. It is mainly Iron Age in construction but earlier settlement remains have been found. If you visit, you’ll encounter two substantial ditches and the fortContinue reading “Foreign Travel – Wiltshire! Sidbury Hill Fort near Tidworth.”
War!
Primula Wars David Beeson Primroses are as much part of spring as bumblebees and the first butterflies. A wander through Harewood, or any similar habitat, will delight your senses. The primrose yellow (What other colour could I call it?) of their blossoms enliven the green of the fast-growing ground vegetation. Nearby you’ll spot blue andContinue reading “War!”
Longparish’s River
Longparish and its river – April and May. David Beeson The River Test is a monarch of a waterway. Its springs arise directly or indirectly from the chalk that lays beneath the surface layers of silt, clay or gravel. As such, it is crystal clear and carries with it traces of the calcium from whichContinue reading “Longparish’s River”
God’s Ponds
Dew Ponds in Hampshire David Beeson The ‘Dieu’ pond is an ancient relic of times long past when we could not guarantee a supply of water. Many exist and can be rich in wildlife. Life as we know it began in a watery environment back in the mists of time. Organisms still retain their linkContinue reading “God’s Ponds”
Heathlands
Heathland: Greenham and Crookham Common, near Newbury. David Beeson In N-W Hampshire acid soils and heathland are rare, so seeking out a very contrasting environment is worthwhile. The plants and animals are quite different as they are surviving in acidic soils that may drain rapidly, yet nearby there could be waterlogged condition. The script isContinue reading “Heathlands”
Bluebells
Native bluebells and other bulbs David Beeson Our native bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is found widely around north-west Hampshire. The UK has 70% of the world population of this plant and we can rightfully claim plenty of that locally. Like many of the plants that grow under deciduous woodland the bluebell comes into leaf and flowerContinue reading “Bluebells”
Along the River Valley
Along the river valley – The Upper reaches of the River Anton. David Beeson The autumn and winter rains have filled the chalk to overflowing and, so, the spring has sprung in this grassy field. Rather than gushing out the water merely oozes from around the roots of the herbs and has dug itself aContinue reading “Along the River Valley”
Harewood Forest
A Walk through an Ancient Forest, 1. Late February, David Beeson. A walk from the B3400, south along the footpath from Andover Down to the Middleway. SU403463. Pisa Cottage stop on the 76 bus route from Andover to Whitchurch and Basingstoke. Harewood Forest has been woodland forever. It is in north-west Hampshire near the marketContinue reading “Harewood Forest”
Wildlife and Ecology, the Wildlife Encyclopaedia 