Old Lodge Nature Reserve

On Wednesday, September 1^st, a group of 20 Members had a most interesting walk around the Old Lodge Nature Reserve near Crowborough, East Sussex, led by the Reserve Warden, Alice Parfitt.

The scenery was spectacular with views from the hill tops of both the South and the North Downs. Between the copses of Scots Pine, the sandy heathland was coloured by purple Bell Heather and mauve Calluna as well as grass kept short by grazing rabbits. In some areas of the reserve there are also considerable stretches of bracken and birch and Alice described the work of volunteers and contractors in removing these to permit the heathers to return; an activity aided by the grazing of Exmoor ponies.

The reserve is well known for its bird life, its butterflies and some unusual dragonflies breeding in the acidic pools. During the walk we had the luck to see a number of bird species including Sparrow hawks, Stone chats and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and amongst the insects were a speckled wood butterfly and a bright green southern hawker dragonfly.

 Overall a most interesting day enhanced by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide and by some very pleasant sunshine.