Here’s a good shot of a green woodpecker that has been caught as part of the bird ringing activity at Fleet Pond.
Martin, from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), is carrying out valuable work recording the bird-life in the Nature Reserve as part of the ongoing Constant Effort Sites Scheme (CES).
See here for more details.
Mackenzie Smith, the local estate agents, with linked offices in Fleet, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Farnborough and Ash Vale, are running a photography competition:
To celebrate these areas we have decided to hold a photography competition to showcase the diversity and beauty of North Hampshire. The competition will run right through to November 2014 to give you the opportunity to catch the changing seasons.
We would like you to capture the changing beauty of the local area, or anything that you think is particularly interesting or would make a good picture in the calendar.
There will be two grand prize winners in the following age categories, under 18’s and 18’s & over, with £250 going to each grand prize winner and Mackenzie Smith then also donating £250 to a charity of the winners choosing.
The twelve best entries will make up our 2015 calendar with the twelve photographers all receiving a free copy.
The deadline for the competition is 1st November 2014.
Full competition details (including Terms and Conditions) can be found on their website – see here.
Why not enter a suitable picture taken at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve?
David Pottinger writes:
You may be interested to know that the Freshwater Habitats Trust is having it’s first-ever photo competition: Celebrating freshwater habitats through the seasons.
From their site (where you can find full competition details):
“Successful entrants will have their photo showcased in our 2015 calendar.
The competition is open to anyone over 18 years – amateur or professional. You can even submit existing photos you’ve taken.
We are looking for images that capture the beauty and diversity of our freshwaters and the wildlife which inhabit them, throughout the calendar year.
The closing date for the competition is 30 Nov 2014.
The competition will be judged by Tim Hodges, who is the official photographer to the House of Lords. The winners announced at the beginning of December.”
Maybe Fleet Pond would be a good location for entries?
An adder spotted by Colin Gray (see here)
David Pottinger writes:
David Buckler, a Committee Member of Fleet Pond Society, is currently carrying out a survey for the Amphibian and Reptile Group (ARG).
As part of this, David would be interested to hear of any adder sightings at Fleet Pond, especially during March/April. There is a concern that there may be a decline in numbers.
Please contact David directly on this subject (no need to leave a comment below), his email address is: david.buckler@talktalk.net
Many thanks for your assistance.
An adder spotted by David Buckler (see here)
Month of March: Lesser Celandine
David Pottinger writes:
Michelle Salter, Secretary of Fleet Pond Society, has previously written a very interesting series of articles on some of the wildflowers that can seen at Fleet Pond during the spring and summer months. They all contain original photography as well as illuminating background information.
Why not keep an eye out for some of these flowers when you next take a walk around the Pond?
Here’s a listing of the articles:
March: Lesser Celandine and the Brookly Stream (see picture above)
April: Marsh Marigold, Cuckoo Flower, Dog-violet & Forget-me-not
May: Bogbean, Garlic Mustard and Skunk Cabbage
June: Yellow Flag Iris, Honeysuckle and Yellow Water-lily
July: Heather, Lichen, Meadowsweet and Yellow Loosestrife
August: Berries, Rosebay Willowherb and Purple Loosestrife
Picture credit: Michelle Salter
