East Sussex meet up.

Mike Jackson · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:38 AM

Is anyone interested in having a meet up and walk round Brede High woods? It's 648 acres of mixed ancient woodland, wide rides, heathland and conifer plantation. Rather than an in depth look at the woods I'm thinking of an initial introduction to the area so people can go back on their own for further investigation or arrange a further meet up to explore specific areas or interests.

Last time I led a small group around we did a circular walk in the morning, headed back to the car park for lunch and a fresh cup of tea (Coleman stove lives in the back of the land rover) and then did another circular in the afternoon.

Mike

Words · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:55 AM

It may depend when, but I'm about an hour away and have been meaning to check it out.

pressld2 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:42 AM

East Sussex is not too far from me either so I'd be interested. Do you have a date in mind?

Dave P.

Mike Jackson · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 06:38 PM

No date in mind as yet. It depends on what other people can manage.

Dates I can manage are

Sunday 23rd August, Sat 29th August, Monday 31st August (Bank Holiday), Saturday 5th September. The diary after that is fairly clear at weekends but it's probably best to try and get it in sooner rather than later as come the autumn some of the tracks will be closed for felling works and the best insect areas are adjacent to where the felling is taking place.
Start time will depend on peoples preferences but I'm thinking meet up and have a chat and a cuppa for half an hour and I can point out the main areas on a map before we head out. This also gives a bit of leeway in case anyone gets lost/stuck in traffic.

Tobyh · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:02 PM

Id be interested too, always keen on seeing new places.

Depends on date of course.

TobyH

tufftie · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:07 PM

Well - albeit an ex ES'er - mee too but later rather than sooner! Think there maybe a few more of us too

And a few non ones that will be in a certain car!

Ukwildlifeo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:43 PM

Im a possible. Any particular wildlife highlights in the woods?

tufftie · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Im a possible. Any particular wildlife highlights in the woods?

grey squirrels!

Mike Jackson · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Im a possible. Any particular wildlife highlights in the woods?

The insect life is terrific in a lot of areas in the woods. Plenty of dragonflies and damselflies, loads of butterflies and moths, plenty of different flies and beetles. Holman wood field is awash with grasshoppers and I spent ages trying to get a picture of something resembling a hornet last Sunday but couldn't get close enough for a positive ID.

Mammal wise I've seen Deer, badgers and, yes, grey squirrels. I've also seen signs of wild boar.

I've seen common lizards twice and an adder once. I also got a nice shot of a toad.

I'm not much good with birds but I've seen a buzzard, loads of wood pigeons, blackbirds, robins, wrens and heard loads of others that I couldn't name even with the help of a CD of bird calls.

There's also an abundance of fungi throughout the woods some of which I've managed to ID and had a few good breakfasts.

Dr Patrick Roper has a blog about the woods at Brede High Woods and he has discovered some very rare insects around the woods.

Ukwildlifeo · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tufftie

grey squirrels!

Should have seen that one coming!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

The insect life is terrific in a lot of areas in the woods. Plenty of dragonflies and damselflies, loads of butterflies and moths, plenty of different flies and beetles. Holman wood field is awash with grasshoppers and I spent ages trying to get a picture of something resembling a hornet last Sunday but couldn't get close enough for a positive ID.

Mammal wise I've seen Deer, badgers and, yes, grey squirrels. I've also seen signs of wild boar.

I've seen common lizards twice and an adder once. I also got a nice shot of a toad.

I'm not much good with birds but I've seen a buzzard, loads of wood pigeons, blackbirds, robins, wrens and heard loads of others that I couldn't name even with the help of a CD of bird calls.

There's also an abundance of fungi throughout the woods some of which I've managed to ID and had a few good breakfasts.

Dr Patrick Roper has a blog about the woods at Brede High Woods and he has discovered some very rare insects around the woods.

Tht sounds good, I shall make it if I can

(i.e. if the gf gives me permission!)

Kymba · #11 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 12:34 AM

I am interested, but am fully booked up until the end of september. But if you or anyone arranges another one at a later date I will definately be up for it. Given enough notice i will be able to keep that weekend free

Mike Jackson · #12 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 06:15 AM

If there's enough interest there's no problem with getting out there again. Other than that I'm always keen to get out there so you can always get down for a personal guided tour.

There's also some guided walks organised by the woodland trust later on.

Quote:

Saturday October 10th Woodland Archaeology walk at Brede High Woods

10am -12.30pm. Meet at the main car park.

Nicola Bannister has now completed her in depth review of the woodlands history researching both in historical records and onsite remains. This guided tour led by Nicola will take you to some most important findings and describe the incredibly varied and complex history of this wood. The event is free to attend.

Saturday December 20th Guided wildlife walk at Brede High Woods with Patrick Roper

10am -12.30pm. Meet at the main car park.

Come and join us to explore the woods at Christmas to explore the changes of the seasons and the response of the woodland species. This walk is guided by expert ecologist Patrick ‘santa’ Roper. The event is free to attend.

I'm booked in on both of these.

peterdunsby · #13 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 09:17 AM

Mike,

I am new to mushroom foraging but if anyone is interested in going out foraging and willing to show a beginner the ropes then I would be very interested. I am based in Haywards Heath but happy to travel in the area.
Regards Peter

Mike Jackson · #14 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 06:13 PM

After the number of fungi I've seen today I'm thinking of a meet up this coming Saturday (31st Oct) or possibly Saturday the 7th November.

Any preferences?

Dutchess · #15 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 03:02 PM

I shall be tied to home this weekend, but the 7th sounds good?

cutecoot · #16 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 03:20 PM

Both dates ok for me, Mike .. although I do feel as though I have a cold coming on at the minute (bit throaty and sneezing like mad just now!), so 7th probably better ...

.. have been looking up on googlemaps and its a bit of a drive for me, about an hour and a half, so will probably mean I will miss out on the chestnut breakfast

Mike Jackson · #17 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 07:03 PM

Let's say the 7th then. Meet up at 9.30 for a cuppa and a bacon sarnie and wander off at ten.

pressld2 · #18 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:17 AM

I'd love to come along again but I'm a little tentative at present. It will depend on me finishing the decorating I'm doing the week before. If all goes to plan I'll be there...

Dave P.

cutecoot · #19 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Either that, Dave, or we'll all come around and do your decorating instead ..

pressld2 · #20 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:24 AM

LOL! Now there's an offer!

I shall spend all week working like a trooper and drooling at the thought of Mike's bacon sarnies!

Dave P.

cutecoot · #21 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:35 AM

Hope you're going to leave some for me (bacon sarnies that is), I probably won't get there until 10 unless I get up at the crack of dawn! (Oh, which is probably too late at this time of year!