New Theme

Hi all,
A change of theme for 2010, hope that you like it. This theme has three columns for a better spread of links to pages and other resources.
The header is a little smaller in scale which has limited what can be included in the image. I will have to bear this in mind when I take a new photo.

best wishes for the coming year, I  hope that Lancing Ring has lots of  butterflies this coming year, they are what many people come here to see

Chairman Henry’s message

Happy New Year everyone.

We have just returned from tobogganing down the Ring slopes along with the rest of Lancing it seemed

Last year was hard with the loss of Joe Barrow, but our events were quite succesful and we are planning events for this year to build on.

See you at the AGM or pop up on third sunday of month for some relaxed path clearing.

Happy New Year to all visitors

Hope you all have had a good holiday over the festive season.
It seemed a lot of local people decided to blow the cobwebs on New Years Day with a walk on the reserve as we did.
It was a very pleasant afternoon with sun and blue sky although cold enough to make the wearing of gloves and hats a sensible idea.
The ground was icy in places and pockets of frosted grass could be found easily. A subject that would of provided plenty of scope for nature photography. If anyone has been able to get some good snow and frost pictures, It would be very nice to see some of them. So send them in please.
Here is my picture for 1st January at the Dewpond. Click it to see larger version.

Tree planting Mission accomplished !

In the hour between 11am and 12 mid-day the Friends successfully  planted thirty six trees in their contribution to the ‘Tree O’clock record breaking event.
Our effort maybe small by comparison to some groups but it will count in the total for the uk as a whole.
We thank all those who took part.

Coffee Morning

24 October 2009
Friends of Lancing Ring
Coffee Morning
Venue: The Holy Family Catholic Church Hall at Monks Farmhouse in North
Road, Lancing
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lancing Ring Slide Show (by Ray Hamblett)

Tree 0′clock

The Friends have made a pledge to take part in an attempt to break a record for the most number of trees planted in one hour.

The project is called Tree O’clock

The event happens during National Tree Week which is from 25th November to 6th December.
We will be planting trees on Saturday 5th December on the reserve, from 11am to 12am mid-day. If your coming along then meet at the carpark at 10.30. From there we will walk over to the triangular meadow northwest of the clump on the way to Steepdown Hill
The  Friends will be planting five Rowan and five Beech trees.
Visitors are welcome to contribute their own native trees but they must be planted in the one hour time frame .

The beautiful woods of Lancing Ring

The Woodland aisle

To me this area is like a cathedral with living columns supporting the green canopy.  The light breaking through onto the floor is like the patterns from a leaded glass window.

Beech woodland

When you next visit the Reserve, make a point to pause here and admire this magnificent view.
Whatever the weather this always looks good but its enjoyed best when the dappled sun is breaking through the leafy canopy.

Spider hunt

The hunt for the Wasp Spider is on again. Argiope bruennichi is usually found at this time of year in certain areas of the reserve, notably in the Chalkpit. I set out this afternoon intent to find it in that area having failed to spot any on the west slope of the reserve where i thought it may have established by this time.

Wasp Spider

I first noticed these distinctive large Orb Web spiders on the reserve about four years ago and have been noting their appearance each year since.
I did manage to see just one of the large females in grass on the northern edge of the chalk pit, but disappointingly, the only one i could find.

Notes on the airshow

The fields and meadows in and around the reserve proved a popular spot at the weekend.
The slopes facing the Adur Valley and Shoreham airport give good views of events as aircraft of the past and present, put on displays of aerial skills.

In idyllic weather groups of people gathered in the area around and just south east of the dew pond,  in the warm sun they had picnics while enjoying the spectacle.

The cornfield on Lancing Hill  just adjacent to Barton’s field drew more groups of specatators, here the view is less obscured by trees although perhaps the ground is less comfortable to sit on amid the stubble of recently cut Straw.

Airshow at Shoreham seen from Lancing Hill

Nature Notes

Common Knapweed

Purple Loosetrife

Wall Brown

Summer flowers come their peak on the reserve at this time, the left picture here shows Common Knapweed now massing in the meadows, following on from the earlier Greater Knapweeds which are fading.
The centre picture shows Purple Loosetrife in the Dewpond margins. The right picture is a Wall Brown butterfly which I recorded on the edge of the grass around the Dewpond.