Basking in the Sun

Photography, Plants and Animals

Fleet Pond Adder

An adder at Fleet Pond (credit: John Sutton)

A few weeks ago there was a brief patch of extremely warm weather. During this period, local photographer John Sutton caught this excellent photo of an adder enjoying the sunshine at the Pond!

From Wildlife Britain:

“Adders can be found all over mainland UK, but not Ireland, and are Scotland’s only native snake, demonstrating that they are the most capable snake in the world at surviving harsh conditions. The snakes do this by hibernating between October and Spring, coming out into the open at different times each year depending on the weather conditions.

Adders can be found in a very wide range of habitats but open ground such as moors and grasslands are a favourite as they are often full of their prey. This liking for open ground is often where they come into contact with humans out walking or working the land. if you go looking for them in the right areas at the right time of day then the adder is not an impossible creature to find, especially when combined with good local knowledge, stealth and patience. Early Spring is a good time to see them if the weather is warm as the males will be out looking for a mate and can often be seen basking in the sunshine on a rock.”

Keep An Eye Out For The Bluebells

Education, Plants and Animals, Volunteering

2016-04-Bluebells Vista s

After the clear up – towards the end of the month this area should be a sea of blue!

David Pottinger writes:

A week ago today, a volunteer team lead by Terry Austin took on the task of clearing out an area at the Pond known for it’s spectacular display of English (native) bluebells. The aim was to remove the mounds of leaves and bracken that had accumulated over the year and to take them away to be burnt.

The bluebells are near the picnic area (see picture above) – why not keep an eye out for them in your walks around the Pond in the coming weeks?

If you have any good photos of the carpet of bluebells, why not send them to me (contact details here) as I’d be happy to consider publishing them on this blog (giving full credit of course). Alternatively, perhaps you could tweet them?

On the topic of native and non-native bluebells, Suzie Hunt at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust writes:

The UK is an international stronghold for bluebells, with more than a quarter of the world’s population found here. More than that, taking a walk through a sweet-smelling carpet of nodding bluebells is one of the definitive experiences of an English spring, and one that I look forward to every year.

Sadly, our native bluebell is losing ground to an insidious competitor: the Spanish bluebell. Introduced by the Victorians as a garden plant, the Spanish bluebell has made it ‘over the garden wall’ and out into the wild. Here, it crossbreeds with our native plants and produces fertile hybrids with a mix of characteristics.

You can use the information below to help you know what kind of bluebell you are looking at. If you see any of the characteristics of the Spanish bluebell then you are looking at a hybrid.

Native Bluebell

English bluebells. Photo by Philip Precey.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

  • Distinctive ‘droop’ like the top of a shepherd’s crook
  • Sweet, cool perfume
  • Narrow bell-shaped flowers with rolled back tips
  • Creamy white pollen

Spanish Bluebell

Spanish bluebells. Photo by Richard Burkmar

Hyacinthoides hispanica

  • Upright stems
  • No scent
  • Conical bell-shaped flowers with open tips
  • Blue pollen

2016-04-Bluebells End s

At the end of the task, surveying the results

As you can see, the weather was very pleasant and it was a healthy and rewarding task. If you would like to come along and help us in our volunteer tasks, please contact Colin Gray, who will be happy to provide further details.

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 10 April

Conservation, Events, Volunteering

There will be a volunteer event at Fleet Pond this coming Sunday and all are welcome to attend (see below for registering).

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

“This Sunday we will be in Brookly Wood, and the nearest access point is Avondale Road if you do not come to the workshop.

The task will be to remove as many of the non-native species as possible. There are rhododendrons, cherry laurel and bamboo to be tackled. Cut material will be bagged and taken to the workshop yard for disposal.

Waterproof boots should be adequate although some areas are still wet after the recent rains. We will be working in an area where brambles can be damaging to clothes so please be prepared.”

For further information and booking (which is essential as tools and resources have to be planned beforehand), please contact Hart Countryside Services:

Phone: 01252 623443
 Email: countryside@hart.gov.uk

The Sunday volunteer tasks are supervised by a Hart Countryside Ranger together with members of Fleet Pond Society.

How To Follow News And Activities At Fleet Pond

Education, Events, Photography

Comp 2015 Michael Carrington s

Commended photo by Michael Carrington from the recent FPS Photographic Competition

David Pottinger writes:

Different people like getting their information in different ways. At Fleet Pond Society we have set up numerous ways which hopefully cater for most tastes and give a wide selection of snippets, photos and articles:

In addition, FPS regularly submits articles for publication in local newspapers, such as Surrey Hants Star Courier and Fleet News & Mail.