The Beacon December 2011 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

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Nature Notes This has been a remarkable Autumn regarding the number of scarce and rare birds seen around the country. It is easy to follow such movements by visiting the websites of the Bird Observatories that are situated around the coast in strategic localities. Many of the birds will have come to Britain on the quite violent weather systems of the season. Some are North American species while others bred in Arctic Russia and intended to head for their winter quarters in Asia but were disorientated towards these shores. Though interesting and exciting for many who like to follow rarities, it is unlikely that many of these birds will ever find their way back to their usual range. It is said that “a rare bird is a lost bird” which may well be true. A few have been ringed so the remote possibility of a recovery could shed light on their movements or plight. Back in June when we ringed the four Barn Owl chicks in the box on the college estate we caught up the female with them. She was wearing a ring and now, in the fullness of time I have received the information about her. She was ringed as a nestling in 2005 at Scaynes Hill a distance of ten kilometres away and is now a mature and experienced breeding bird. The longevity record for a Barn Owl, that is time from ringing to recovery, is over fourteen years, another benefit of being able to recognise a bird as an individual. I had another go at the seemingly unending task of clearing the blanket weed from the little pond at the Hospice. I was surprised to find not only tiny newts but a full grown one still in the water. I expected that by now they would be hibernating and torpid beneath a piece of wood or stone. There were also many different sized Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly nymphs, terrifying looking creatures and voracious feeders of anything small in the ponds. Last month I wrote about Siskins at the garden feeders. There has also been an influx of another small finch, the Redpoll to many parts of the county. They do come to feeders but are most likely to be found on Birch or Alder trees, particularly those growing beside water, seeking out the vast numbers of tiny seeds carried in the cones. Those with younger hearing than I now have will often locate them by the chattering feeding notes that keep the flock together. Only two days ago I came across a large mixed flock in some streamside Alders. Siskins, Redpolls were acrobatically feeding on the cones and with them a number of Long=tailed Tits looking like flying lollipops. Reg Lanaway 32
All I Want for Christmas is ….. The search for suitable Christmas presents is made a great deal easier these days with internet shopping. But there is only so much space in a house to accommodate “stuff”. Happily, a garden is an entirely different proposition. My shoehorn is always on standby to assist in squeezing yet another plant into the garden. Which is probably why my borders have middle age spread in sharp contrast to my lawn that gets thinner and thinner! Happily, Christmas coincides with bare-root season, whereby it is possible to purchase trees and shrubs grown in the ground and not in pots. They are generally supplied with their root balls in a hessian sack. Bare-rooted plants are cheaper & have the added advantage of usually being tougher, having withstood the elements rather having the pampered existence of potted plants. Most large plant producers have a mail order service, which means that the plants will generally arrive well packaged. Notable exceptions, however, are plug plants which I have found problematic as they often seem to arrive broken or damaged in some way. However, if you are old fashioned like me and prefer to eyeball a plant prior to purchase to ensure the plant’s shape and condition, then there is an excellent local supplier of bare rooted plants: Pure Plants in Blackboys, contact them on info@pureplants.com for their full list of barerooted trees & shrubs. So if you really can’t face more handkerchiefs or socks, then what about a green Christmas present? A friend asked for a hedge and received a couple of metre’s worth from each gift-giver. What a useful and long lasting present. Let’s hope 2012 is a kinder year meteorologically & horticulturally, than 2011 has been. A very happy Christmas to you. Haughty Culture Garden Design 07742 731967 Email: haughty.culture@virgin.net Annual Christmas Show of beautiful Arts and Crafts all made in the UK Streat Place Barn, Streat. BN6 8RU Opening weekend Saturday November 26 th 2pm - 8 pm, Sunday November 27 th 10.30am - 5 pm Then every Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.30 - 5pm from Thursday 1 st December until Sunday 18 th December. Come and enjoy a glass of mulled wine, a real fire and some gentle festive shopping Jinks McGrath, 01273 890771 email: info@jinksmcgrath.com 33
Page 2 and 3: Vicar: Churchwardens: Readers: DIRE
Page 4: A Christmas message from Bishop Mar
Page 7 and 8: that our Parish contribution to the
Page 9 and 10: Woodstock Construction For all your
Page 11 and 12: new spirit of cooperation between n
Page 14 and 15: Beacon Parish Church Duties Decembe
Page 17 and 18: The Beacon Parish Office Open on Mo
Page 19 and 20: Feast Days Prayer for the world chu
Page 21: What’s On in December 2011 Nine L
Page 24 and 25: safe water, sanitation and hygiene
Page 27: 1 st Ditchling Scout Group Beavers
Page 30 and 31: Morris dances in the Cotswold and B
Page 32 and 33: Ditchling Pre-School Christmas Fair
Page 37 and 38: The Beacon in the Past Below are ex
Page 39: For practical services from friendl

The Beacon December 2011 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

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