Noticing Nature Blog

A Year in the Churchyard 2025 After the planned felling of three trees at the east end of the church in October, three members of SWFV purchased and planted replacements. Four trees, a Hawthorn, a Crab Apple, a Hornbeam and a Mulberry were planted in the front of the church adjacent to the road. These will provide flowers in spring and fruits in autumn for visiting wildlife as well making the churchyard more attractive for church visitors. Six Guelder Roses (Viburnum) and a H

A monthly round-up of bird sightings in and around Staple. Birds in November: Winter visitors are arriving. On the 2nd, a Merlin  zipped across a field at Summerfield searching for prey in the shape of Linnets  and Meadow Pipits which are common here. The area around the stream at Great Pedding can be particularly interesting at this time of the year. A Kingfisher flew downstream here on the 5th. This is only the second time I’ve seen one here. They breed not far away on th

A lovely little ecosystem on this box tomb lid at the church.

A couple of attractive fungi in the woods today. Jelly Ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae) growing on a dead Elder branch and Candle-snuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon). Jelly Ear Fungus Candlesnuff Fungus

The source of the stream at Great Pedding is somewhere in Ash, probably Ringleton Manor. It flows past the sewage works at Dambridge and joins the Wingham river. This eventually joins with the Little Stour at Seaton near Wickhambreux. The valley it has created has, in many parts, damp permanent pasture, rising to arable cultivation and orchards. Sheep and a few cattle graze the pastures to either side of the stream between Ash and Wingham. This section of the stream is the on

A mere 5-6 years ago Cattle Egrets were a rare sight in the UK. Little Egrets have, of course, been here for some time. Along with the Great White Egret, these species have been slowly spreading north from their more southerly origins. Last winter, a flock of up to 25 Cattle Egrets were seen on the grazing meadows around the stream at Great Pedding Farm. In the last few days they have returned with ten this morning feeding around the sheep. Cattle Egrets at Great Pedding Farm