Alton Natural History Society field meetings 2020 and 2021

Alton Natural History Society field meetings 2020 and 2021

Under the rule of 6 meeting outdoors, three field meetings were held in short 2-hour sessions looking for insects at Barleyfields, a new public open space in Alton on 12^th August, the fungus foray at Bushy Leaze Wood, Alton on 20^th and 21^st October (4 sessions) and the Alton fern trail on 13^th and 20^th December (4 sessions). They were well and enthusiastically supported. Results will be published in the Annual Report.

We are now in Lockdown 3 so we await development, but should opportunity present itself I have plans for more short themed field meetings with ideas for an Alton moss trail, Identifying winter twigs from buds, an Alton geology trail and Brick Kiln Lane for spring flowers. The membership will be notified as before by email and through the society’s website with places booked in advance as before.

June Chatfield

On behalf of everyone I would like to thank June for all her organisation and time given for these walks. Though I know how much she enjoys it. The "fascination of the local" - for me it was amazing to see Rusty-back fern on the wall of the Hop Poles pub.

To add to June's ideas - we may do some local exploration at the western end of Holybourne to explore the wildlife along the Wey and perhaps look at the wild-flowers by Holybourne roundabout.

Steve Mansfield