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Bepton Ranger

Ramblings, photos and thoughts from the village of Bepton, West Sussex – plus Midhurst, The South Downs, Chichester and surrounding areas.

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Marsh Tit or Willow Tit?

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

March tit or willow tit identification

How to spot the difference between these two (almost) identical birds.

Marsh Tits and Willow Tits are almost impossible to distinguish by sight alone – their call is the main way to tell them apart. But how can you differentiate them if they’re not making any noise? Here’s a great example – photographed through my office window!

Continue reading “Marsh Tit or Willow Tit?” →

So cute!

January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

Long tailed tit with 2 tails

A very rare Long Tailed Tit with two tails…

I know most people like cute kittens, but I’d say the little face on this Long Tailed Tit is right up there on the cutenessometer! Continue reading “So cute!” →

Bullfinches are stripping my Cherry Tree!

January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 Simon Verrall1 Comment

Male Bullfinch in Cherry Tree

Pair of Bullfinch in Cherry Tree

I’m not complaining – but there will be no blossom on my Cherry Tree this spring!

Bullfinches have a fearsome reputation amongst fruit growers. A pair (and Bullfinches always operate in pairs) can wreck a commercial orchard in just a few days. As gorgeous as they are – some folk consider them to be a pest!

Continue reading “Bullfinches are stripping my Cherry Tree!” →

Winter Fieldfares

December 27, 2017December 28, 2017 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

Fieldfare in a crab apple tree Bepton West Sussex

Caught red handed pinching crab apples

It’s been a busy year for Fieldfares. We’ve had flocks of 30-50 birds, chack-chacking around the hedgerows and squabbling over fruit in our neighbour’s crab apple tree.

Continue reading “Winter Fieldfares” →

Boxing Day puzzle

December 26, 2017December 27, 2017 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

 

Monkey Puzzle Tree growing wild next to The South Downs Way in Sussex

Do Monkey Puzzle trees grow wild in the UK?

Now here’s an odd question. Are Monkey Puzzles an invasive species colonising the English countryside? Do they self seed or do they need someone to plant them to become established?

Continue reading “Boxing Day puzzle” →

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…

December 24, 2017December 22, 2017 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

Mottled Umber Moth December

… Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Well actually there was a Mottled Umber Moth! Flying around the house after I accidentally let it in when I opened the front door.

Continue reading “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…” →

Little Egret

December 16, 2017December 18, 2017 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

Little Egret The South Downs near Midhurst Bepton

I wasn’t expecting to see an Egret at the end of the garden!

We’re lucky enough to have a field at the end of our garden. And even luckier to have an Egret wandering around it too!

Continue reading “Little Egret” →

Poor management of Bepton Down SSSI on The South Downs

November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 Simon Verrall3 Comments

Bepton Down is a Neglected SSSI on the South Downs

60 years of decline at Bepton Down SSSI

Bepton Down is 14 hectares of unique chalk grassland on the north face of the South Downs overlooking Bepton. It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an area of national importance.

Continue reading “Poor management of Bepton Down SSSI on The South Downs” →

A real False Widow Spider

October 30, 2017November 9, 2017 Simon Verrall1 Comment

False Widow Spider Sussex

Look what I found in the shed at the weekend!

My children are distraught. My wife says she won’t sleep tonight. And I’m thrilled to bits! It’s Britain’s most venomous spider and we’ve got one living in the shed!

Or maybe there’s more than one! Wah-hah-hah…

Continue reading “A real False Widow Spider” →

Red (Admiral) and Green (Bottle)

October 30, 2017November 9, 2017 Simon VerrallLeave a comment

Red Admiral butterfly on a windfall apple

Dinner for two?

I like to leave some apples under the tree for nature to enjoy. Blackbirds and thrushes enjoy a rotting apple, and so does my dog! But yesterday in the autumn sunshine it was the butterflies that were making the most of it. And hundreds of Green Bottle flies too.

Continue reading “Red (Admiral) and Green (Bottle)” →

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What’s it about?

Ramblings and random thoughts about the village of Bepton and the surrounding area including Didling, Cocking, Midhurst and the Severals, the nearby South Downs, Chichester and the West Sussex coast. Mostly about nature, the environment, history, heritage, food, wine, events and just about anything else that catches our eye!

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