Events
These are the events we have planned for 2018. Some have provisional dates. Please come back to this page at a later date for final details.
March 3rd Hunt for Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs
West Sussex is one of the best counties for the Brown Hairstreak butterfly but it does occur a little way into East Sussex, including Plumpton Green. The eggs are laid singly in September on the young suckering growth of blackthorn and are quite beautiful- large white and resembling miniature sea urchins. Come and join us to hunt for them in the places we last saw them in 2011. Meet at the village shop at 10 a.m.
March 10th Dormice Survey
Dormice, although rare, are still hanging on in the parish. Following an initial survey in 2011 we continue to survey possible habitats. Help us set up nesting tubes in a site in East Chiltington.
March 28th 8pm Newt evening.
We hope to see 3 different newt species. Meet at Winkfield, Station Road (opposite the church).
April 27th 7:30pm. Nightingale walk POSTPONED to May 3rd.
The scrubby thicket beside the railway line is perfect nightingale habitat, and the annual nightingale walk has become a popular event in the village calendar. This year we will start with pre-walk drinks before following footpaths towards the railway. Huddled together in the darkness, we'll wait until one or more nightingales burst into song.
June 6th Bat walk.
Tony Hutson will lead an evening walk through the Ferrings to East Chiltington church and down to Stantons Farm ponds. Meet on the Ridgeway outside the racecourse at 9.00pm.
June 16th Moth trapping
We will be setting up the moth trap at Odintune, in the south of the parish at the foot of the Downs. Come along and admire the trapped moths as we identify and release them. Read the Nature Note about last year's finds. Meet at Odintune at 10:00 am
June 17th Midsummer Meadow survey
Come and help us survey the meadow at Crossways (opposite the Plough). This will be a family friendly event, suitable for beginners. Bring a picnic if you wish and join us for a drink in the Plough afterwards. Meet at Crossways at 10:00 am
July 28th Moth trapping
Another moth trapping event, this time at Downsview Cottage, in the centre of the parish. Will we find different species in this open garden habitat?
August 12th A walk on the Drove Road
Many of you enjoyed the articles (here, and here) on the local Droveways. Jacqui Hutson will lead us on a summer wildlife walk.
August 25th Bird ringing at Beachy Head
A repeat of this popular event. We will visit the bird ringing station in Whitbread Hollow to see birds being ringed, learn more about the functions of ringing and see a range of species close up. After a while there, we will continue on a walk around the cliffs to Cow Gap, looking for other birds and wildlife in general. Numbers will be limited - you must contact Tony Hutson if you wish to attend (01273 890341; hutson.t@btinternet.com).
Nov 26th AGM 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Annex.
The evening will start with a talk by Jeremy Kerswell, Principal of Plumpton College. He will be talking about the college's new ecological strategy, which was launched in December 2017, and which now governs the management of the college estate. A break for light refreshments will follow before proceeding with the brief business of Annual General Meeting. All are welcome, members or not, and admission is free. If you are thinking of joining but haven’t yet got around to it then please do come along and have your say in what we do.
