New Year Plant Hunt 2025 - Uckfield North

I introduced last year's account of the BSBI New Year Plant Hunt by saying "Recently the weather has been very wet, turning many little weedy plants that were hanging on from the summer to mush." It has been exactly the same this year and the results were quite similar - I got 35 species compared to 36 last year.

Sometimes the number of species found doesn't tell the whole story. For some species that I usually expect to find easily, I had to search really hard to find one or two blooms. For example: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Ivy (Hedera helix) and Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum).

A battered Herb Bennet (Geum Urbanum)

My first find, on the public path just outside our hedge was a very miserable Herb Bennet (Geum Urbanum). Then the usual "weeds" - a lot of Daisies (Bellis perennis) and the odd Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) etc. A quick visit to the Winter Heliotropes (Petasites fragrans) near Ringles Cross showed that there were far fewer of the pink fluffy flowers than last year.

Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) at Holy Cross

I meandered through the town to the church and found a lovely group of Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) on the Holy Cross Church wall.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

The Holly (Ilex aquifolium) in Belmont road had a lovely scattering of dainty white flowers. The Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) was a little trickier - there were quite a few flowerheads with buds but the one open flower took a lot of finding.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) at the Fire Station

Another usually reliable New Year flower that was hard to find was Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). I found a rather scrappy specimen outside the fire station.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) on Bellbrook Industrial Estate

The Bellbrook Industrial Estate gave me Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and some battered little weeds. 

White Melilot (Melitotus Albus)

Back in November, I found a White Melilot (Melitotus Albus) flowering in the Station car park. It seemed impossible to believe that it's delicate white pea flowers would still be blooming but they were.

White Deadnettle (Lamium album) at the Mill

On the other side of the road, I found some White Deadnettle (Lamium album) while a friendly German Shepherd investigated my bags.

The last Ivy (Hedera helix) flowers in town

Down to my last half-hour, I scurried home, conscious that I had not seen any Ivy (Hedera helix) flowers - there had been plenty of fruit on the plants round the town but not a single flower. I examined the Ivy at the top of the Dene, while discussing the plant hunt with a neighbour. I checked about three quarters of the heads when I found one that was still blooming. After this, I headed home for a much needed hot coffee.

At the time of writing:

• the Uckfield results are available from Uckfield
• all results are available from Results.

Botanical Survey - Framfield and Tickerage

For 2024, I decided to continue "square bashing" - finding all the wild plant species I can in two "tetrads", which are 2km squares on the ordnance survey map. My squares are:

• TQ42V, which contains Framfield, Hempstead and part of the Manor Park Estate, Uckfield 
• TQ52A, which contains Tickerage.

I did my surveys on 26 runs, covering 119 km (74 miles). It is a fun and fairly productive way of maintaining my fitness and exploring the lanes and footpaths running through villages, farmland and woodland.  

1st Jan 2024 - Wendy with Petasites fragrans (Winter Heliotrope)

I compared the species I found to the BSBI lists for the tetrads so I could see if/when they had been recorded and verified previously. Below, I will mention some of those that were not listed and those that had an old listing (1966). I think this represents a range of recording from 1966 to 1999. Either way, it is at least a quarter of a century since the species has been recorded in the tetrad.

The Uck's floodplain and old horse rescue (TQ42V)

When I head out, I often take the Weald Way across the floodplain and the old horse rescue. As you might expect, the floodplain gave me plenty of moisture-loving species such including:

• Carex leporina (Oval Sedge) - not listed
• Juncus articulatus (Jointed Rush) - 1966 listing
• Gnaphalium uliginosum (Marsh cudweed) - not listed

11 May - Barbarea vulgaris (Winter-cress)

Moving from the floodplain through the upper fields I found:

• Barbarea vulgaris (Winter-cress) - 1966 listing
• Jacobaea erucifolium (Hoary Ragwort ) - 1966 listing 
• Linaria vulgaris (Common Toadflax)  - not listed

The Railway (TQ42V)

22 June - Reseda luteola (Weld)

An alternative route out takes me over the level crossing gives me unusual finds, perhaps due to the limestone trackbed. This year has been no exception, giving me:

• Reseda luteola (Weld) - 1966 listing

Hempsted Wood (TQ42V)

21 July - Dryopteris affinis agg. (Scaly Male Fern) 

I can then run through a wonderful bluebell wood, where I spotted a Male fern that looked a bit "off". Closer inspection gave me:

• Dryopteris affinis agg. (Scaly Male Fern) - not listed

Hammonds Green (TQ42V)

3 Feb - Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort)

Veering South towards Framfield, takes me through a shady, sunken lane. Here I found various ferns including:

• Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort) - not listed

Framfield village (TQ42V)

27 July Rorippa palustris (Marsh Yellow-cress)

This is a pretty village, but I spurned the charms of the wisteria and hollyhock filled gardens in favour of the drain outside the pub, a path behind the houses and a traffic island, which gave me the following treasures:

• Rorippa palustris (Marsh Yellow-cress)  - not listed
• Viola reichenbachiana (Early dog violet) - not listed
• Torilis nodosa (Knotted Hedge-Parsley)  - not listed

Gatehouse Green Farm (TQ42V)

29 June - Jacobaea aquatica (Marsh Ragwort)

North of the village, we have Conybury Wood and Gatehouse Farm. Below the wood there is an area of marshy pasture. As I came out of the wood, I noticed a splash of yellow in an area of rushes. It looked brighter, less upright and "looser" than normal Ragwort. It was:

• Jacobaea aquatica (Marsh Ragwort) - not listed

Scantling Farm and surroundings (TQ52A)

29 June - Lepidium coronopus (Swinecress)

I remember Scantlings Farm for a buttercup field providing pasture for two lovely horses. In the lanes nearby there were many flowers and field entrances, particularly to one Potato field, were a happy hunting ground.

• Lolium multiflorum (Italian Rye Grass) - 1966 listing
• Arctium lappa (Greater Burdock)  - not listed
• Lepidium coronopus (Swinecress) - 1966 listing

Tickerage and surroundings (TQ52A)

22 June - Umbilicus rupestris (Navelwort)

At the heart of this area is a bluebell wood, and Tickerage Mill where I chatted with a lovely lady about the film star who once lived there. In nearby lanes where I found:

• Umbilicus rupestris (Navelwort) - not listed
• Odontites vernus (Red Bartsia)  - not listed
• Succisa pratensis (Devil's-bit scabious) - 1966 listing

Finally

For the two tetrads, I recorded:

• TQ42V, 248 species including 19 not previously listed and 7 with a 1966 listing
• TQ52A, 203 including 18 not previously listed and 7 with a 1966 listing.

I've found that botanising on the run is a great way of finding plants but the disadvantage is that I can't take my books with me. This means that I am relying more on photos and memorising key differences between similar plants. Lessons learnt for next year are:

• mostly, the species are inconspicuous or similar to a commoner species so I need to:
• look carefully
• pay close attention to familiar plants that look a bit "off"
• when using the phone app, to double-check each entry prior to upload as sometimes my species selection has not been as intended. I do check them but changes don't always stick
• learn more about identification of:
• grasses
• docks
• willowherbs.

2023 - Adding New Species to my List

 As we have reached the end of 2023, I'm looking over my wildlife observations for the year and seeing what is new.  Most of my sightings were within walking or running distance of my home - i.e. in and around Uckfield. Again, numbers of species new to me has increased. This time, I have been doing botanical runs to Five Ash Down and Maresfield, which has added quite a few new plants to my lists. Part of the increase is the addition of a "species suggestion" feature on the iRecord app, which points me in the right direction for species that I previously found too difficult.

At the end of the year the number of new species found were:

• 85 Species new to my records
• of which, 46 were new to me.

Here is a selection of species that are new to me or my records.

Lesser Redpoll, 28 Jan, our Uckfield garden

Finding my first new species was a ridiculous stroke of luck. I was actually trying to photograph Goldfinches and House Sparrows on our feeder in preparation for the Big Garden Bird Watch.  It was only when I examined my photos later I found that some of my "Sparrows" had a little red smudge on their heads - making them Lesser Redpolls (Acanthis cabaret).

Harvest Mouse winter nest (9 March)

When I was tidying the garden in early March, I found a nest, which was beautifully constructed from strips of Iris leaf. After some online discussion and some email ping-pong with a Sussex Wildlife Trust Expert, we decided it was a Harvest Mouse's winter nest. I was charmed that one of these tiny creatures had found a home in our garden.

Early Dog-Violet in Nursery Lane, Maresfield

While trotting around the Maresfield area, a neater than usual Dog Violet caught my eye. The spur behind the flower was a little darker than the flower itself - it was an Early Dog-Violet (Viola reichenbachiana).

Early Purple Orchid in woodland

In contrast to my modest little Early Dog-Violet were some rather glamorous-looking Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) that I found while running through a woodland.

Knotted Hedge-parsley, 22 July, London Road, Uckfield

Corn Parsley, 20 Aug, Manor Park Estate and later on bypass

I found two rather scrappy-looking Parsley type plants - Knotted Hedge-parsley (Torilis nodosa) and Corn Parsley (Petroselinum segetum) that, according to the Sussex Flora, have not been previously recorded in our "Hectad" (a 10km x 10km square). Generally, they are found near the coast. Maybe their seeds have been swept along by vehicles.

Goldenrod, 2 Sept, London Road, Uckfield

One of my most delightful finds was a wild Goldenrod, which is a much more delicate version of the ones that can be found in gardens. It was on the woodland edge by the London Road

Soft Shield Fern, 30 July, Maresfield High Street, 

I found a cluster of unusual ferns, including the Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum setiferum) shown, alongside Maresfield High Street. .I particularly like it almost knitted appearance.

Brown Argus, 30 July, The Dene

Unusually, I also had a new butterfly - a Brown Argus (Aricia agestis). The photo shows the underside and the "colon" marking about half-way down the upper edge of the wing, which distinguishes it from other members of the blue family. According to "The Butterflies of Sussex" it was a long way from where these butterflies are usually found.

Clay, 1 July, Manor Park, Uckfield.

I observed a number of new moth species, most of which seemed to be attracted to the kitchen lights.  An exception was the Clay (Mythimna ferrago) that I spotted in our Uckfield garden.

Common Cardinal beetle, 29 May, Manor Park

A number of new species of beetle included the Common Cardinal beetle, which was in our garden (Pyrochroa serraticornis). It is a predator, which can be found on flowers, trunks and stumps. 

Grey-patched Mining Bee, 27 April, Manor Park

I found just one new species of bee, the Grey-patched Mining Bee, which can be found in open grassland.

Russet Toughshank, 26 Oct, Manor Park

One thing that did like the Autumn rains was fungi - I got several new species for my list including the Russet Toughshank (Gymnopus dryophilus) shown, which was growing near our Oak.

Western Conifer Seed Bug, 22 Aug, Manor Park

The Western Conifer Seed Bug is native to the USA but has become established in the UK since 2007.

So it was a real bumper year for new species, which was partly down to a boost from new technology.

New Year Plant Hunt - Uckfield North

Recently the weather has been very wet, turning many little weedy plants that were hanging on from the summer to mush. So when I did the 2024 BSBI New Year Plant Hunt, I was expecting another low result, much the same as last year. For my Uckfield (Sussex) hunt, I got an unexpectedly high result - 36 species - comparable to the few years prior to 2023. I think the difference was that we didn't get the hard frost and snow that we experienced last year.

Number of species vs year

Before I even got off Manor Park housing estate, I found nine species - the sort of unregarded weeds like Daisies, Dandelions etc. The flowers looked pretty miserable after all the rain but these adaptable little plants had battled through to count day.

Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) - London Road

One of my favourites is the patch of Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) just south of Ringles Cross. These flowers are both reliable and give a cheerful touch of pink on a dull day. As I worked my way down the London Road to the town, there were more battered little weeds.

Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) in the High Street

One plant that is thriving after all the wet weather is an alien grass - and the clue as to why is in the name - Water Bent (Polypogon viridis). 

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) in Church Street.

As I made my way along the High Street and into Church Street I found more plants in bloom including a Gorse (Ulex europaeus) opposite Holy Cross Church. In a nearby flower bed, I found the glamorous purple of Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) flowers.  I was particularly pleased because it has been lost from a couple of nearby sites due to a clean up in one case and invasive Three Cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum) in another.

Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) at Holy Cross Church

Sheltered nooks around Holy Cross Church have enabled plants such as Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) and Mexican Fleabane (Mexican Fleabane) to keep flowering.

Ivy (Hedera helix) at Holy Cross Church

A flowering Ivy (Hedera helix) is just one of the plants in the hedge at Holy Cross that will be keeping Bees, Hoverflies and even butterflies going through the winter.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) in Bellmont Road

I spent some time examining a Holly (Ilex aquifolium) in Bellmont Road and was delighted to find some tiny flowers so I could include it in my count.

Hazel (Corylus avellana) catkins.

One of the Hazels (Corylus avellana) near the bypass always seems to be flowering at this time of year even when those by the river bridge have let me down. By the time I had got to it, the wind was whipping the catkins around like lambs tails.

Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna)

Before the hunt started a member of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society had asked for advice about where to look for wild plants in flower. The group provided suggestions like "urban", "building sites" and, in my case, "industrial estates". At Bellbrooke, I was able to add another handful to my score including the tiny Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna) shown. You will have to forgive the quality of the photo - I had to hold my phone against the bottom of a fence to get it and couldn't really see what I was doing.  After this, I headed home, pausing to note a couple more species from the front of the fire station.

Species in Bloom - wild flowers

Wild plants in bloom - 2024 hunt

Species found in bloom - naturalised

These are species that have "jumped the garden fence".

Naturalised plants in bloom - 2024 hunt

Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

I did this year's Big Garden Birdwatch from 8:20 to 9:20 am. The weather was cold (about 1-2 C) and dull.  The big difference this year is that I've been using feeders much more.  Previously we had one feeder for fatballs, a bird table and scattered some food on the paving or grass.  However due to increasing numbers of Pigeons monopolizing the supplies, I've more-or-less stopped using the bird table and ground and now have a total of four feeders:

• The original, with fat balls, in the Magnolia
• Mealworms in the Lilac at the front
• Sunflower hearts in the Crab Apple at the back
• Suet pellets in the Cornus Mass.

I imagined that this would encourage more birds into the garden and make them easier to spot.  However, during the count, I observed that most species come and go to the feeders quite quickly whereas before they would spend more time looking for morsels in our unruly garden.  

During the count, I recorded a total of 31 individuals from 11 species.

My Big Garden Bird Count scores.

Some results stood out. For example, the were two Goldfinches and one Coal tit.  Although these species have occasionally graced my count, their visits have be very irregular and fleeting, with the Goldfinches usually flying high above the garden and not landing (which means I can't include them in the count). Over the last few weeks these have become reliable visitors, coming to our feeders every day. 

Big Garden Bird Watch - How counts have changed since 2011

I did get more individuals than the last couple of years. It doesn't necessarily mean much because numbers have gone up and down so much over since I started doing the count.  However, the main boost was a group 12 of House Sparrows that spent a little time squabbling over the sunflower hearts and suet. 

Hopefully as we enter the hungry period when the birds have eaten most of the naturally occurring berries and seeds, the feeders will help keep our feathered friends going until Spring. 

New Year Plant Hunt 2023 - Uckfield North

2022 weather was a real rollercoaster with a drought, then incessant rain and, just before Christmas, hard frosts and snow and the Met Office has concluded it was the hottest year on record. So when I did the 2023 BSBI New Year Plant hunt I expected to find very few species in flower compared to previous years. Sure enough, this year, I found 22 species in bloom, much fewer than the 36 to 46 I found in each of the previous 3 years. 

Number of species vs Year.

For most of the species that I did find, there were far fewer plants in flower - for example, I usually expect to see Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) in flower in several places during my hunt, whereas this time I found just one.

Daisy (Bellis perennis) - Manor Park

My first find was at the front of next door-but-one's garden - a Daisy (Bellis perennis) battered, but enough to get me going.

Ivy (Hedera helix) - Manor Park

As I made my way through the estate, I found a variety of little weeds in bloom as well as Ivy (Hedera helix). 

Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) - London Road

The Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) on London Road had obligingly come into bloom in time for the hunt.

Wendy Tagg with Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) - High Street

The old walls at the top of the town are usually quite productive. However there were no flowers on the usually reliable Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) and there were just two little flowers on the Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea).

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) - Bellbrook industrial estate

On the Bellbrook industrial estate the Gorse (Ulex europaeus) near the river Uck gave a nice splash of yellow.  

Alder (Alnus glutinosa) - Bellbrook industrial estate

Once again, I found red Alder (Alnus glutinosa) catkins lengthened and showing pollen. Trying to get a photo of them was a challenge as they danced in the breeze way above my head.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria Muralis) - Bellbrook industrial estate

There very few herbaceous plants in bloom but I found a Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus Repens) in the sheltered spot behind the Barny's Playbarn sign and an Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria Muralis) tucked behind a wall.

Hazel (Corylus avellana) dancing over the River Uck

I meandered down to the river, where it is bridged by the High Street and found fully lengthened catkins catching the sunlight over the river. 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - Southview Drive

After noting the Hazel (Corylus avellana), I headed home via Lime Tree Avenue, where I found some Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) with sorry-looking flowers. A quick inspection of the base of a South-facing wall in Southview drive yielded a Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and some Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Species found in bloom - wildflowers

Species found in Bloom - Naturalised

These are the garden plants that have 'jumped the garden fence'.