Noticing Nature Blog

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

Beavers have been spreading along the tributaries of the Great Stour river for some time. But, this is the first time I've seen evidence of their arrival in Staple parish. This damage to a lone willow coppice by the stream at Great Pedding is fresh as it wasn't there a couple of days ago when I last visited. Notice the stripped bark and teeth marks. The incisor teeth marks can be clearly seen here.

Nice to see this welcome splash of colour amongst the acres of kale along the footpath down to Great Pedding Farm. It's Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia). Orange Peel Fungus

Lots of these bright red berries around at the moment, in the churchyard and hedgerows. They are the fruits of Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) also known as Bittersweet. As with Deadly Nightshade, a close relative, the berries are poisonous. It's a rambling plant, needing support to grow upwards but seems to thrive in rough grassland as well. The berries certainly add a colourful splash to November but they will soon be foraged by thrushes and blackbirds. Bittersweet

This is the hedgerow between the church and Crixhall Court. It embodies pretty much everything that's right in a good hedge. It has a wide margin between the base of the hedge and the cultivated field. The field itself has been sown with a cover crop which will provide for wildlife during the winter and early spring, before cultivation resumes. The hedge was planted perhaps only 20 years ago with a mix of native species. This includes hazel, spindle, hawthorn, wayfaring tree,