EDITORIAL ERROR
While driving a website without due care and attention, our editor has managed to permanently delete all comments made after September 5th. The comments section is important, particularly while so much work is going on in the reserve, and your opinions are valuable input. Please, feel free to repost if your comment has disappeared.
Please note that the date of the RSPB visit has changed. It is no longer scheduled for Wednesday September 14th but for Thursday 15th.
BEWARE
There is an active wasps’ nest near the wooden footbridge into Village Green at the bottom of the blackthorn tunnel. Walking towards the big pond on the main path, it is about 4 or 5m along from the bridge, on the stream bank close to the hawthorn bush.
There is a technical problem, the editorial laptop has chosen to spend the bank holiday weekend at the menders. We hope, with the help of public libraries, various borrowings and a recalcitrant phone, to keep the website up and running. If not, we apologise.
We now know who set the grass fire in the Heritage Orchard. The matter had been reported to the police. Our thanks for everybody’s concern.
Our apologies: there is a technical problem and we will be unable to post today.
LOST & FOUND: a Tesco clubcard
A song thrush singing from its perch right at the top of one of the reserve’s oak trees, photographed by Ian Bushell.
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) recorded by David Bisset (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) xeno-canto.org
LOST
Somebody lost a pair of prescription sunglasses in the reserve today. If you found them, email me at friendsofscp@outlook.com and I will make sure they get back to their owner.
A Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) photographed in the reserve last week by Cheryl Cronnie.
Audio by David Bissett from xeno-canto.org
A games controller has been found in the park today. If it’s yours, email us (friendsofscp@outlook.com) with a description and we will put you in touch with the finder.
A work party report from Ian Bushell
Continue reading “Work party report”
Julie Newblé has sent us pictures of storm damage in the reserve.
Continue reading “Storm damage”There is a technical hitch which is making it unlikely that we will be able to post today. Sorry
In the UK, rabbit numbers fell by 43% between 2008 and 2018, with the latest surveys showing no sign that the decline is slowing. The cause is RHDV2, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2.
Continue reading “Save the rabbit”
A seasonal robin from DKG to cheer us all up on an overcast December morning. Thanks DKG.
There is problem with our tech and there won’t be a post from the park today: we apologise.
There is a hardware problem which we hope is being fixed. In the meantime, while we are learning to operate a WordPress site from a smartphone, here is a gallery of pictures taken in the reserve by the late, great DKG.
Email from Clive: This plant has been slowly developing, it’s about a metre high now. My app says Wild Carrot but we all know it’s is not reliable so over to you. If you need more pics let me know.
Read on for our answer
The park is full of water; there are deep puddles everywhere. Everything is wet and muddy and the paths are flooded.
Continue reading “Rain!”We are having WiFi problems this morning and today’s post may be delayed. We apologise.
Today is the day after the shortest day: the year has turned.
Continue reading “Solstice”
By David Feather
What would you say if you went to see your GP because you were feeling a bit down and was told to get out into a green space like Southwick Country Park? I ask because a number of GP practices in Scotland are doing just that.
Continue reading “Nature Prescriptions”
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 