An exploration of the heathlands of Sussex with the Chailey Commons Society

On the 15th June 2019 the annual day trip of the Chailey Commons Society,
 http://www.chaileycommons.org.uk/home
visited Wiggonholt Common, followed by refreshments at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, then Burton Mill pond and Graffham Common.

 Several species of dragonflies were seen at Wiggonholt Common;
Four-spotted Chaser, below,

Broad-bodied Chaser

 and a Downy Emerald.

Wiggonholt Common

Heath Speedwell

 Please see https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/speedwell for more info' on Speedwells.
After coffee at https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/documents/reserves/pulborough-brooks-trail-guide.pdf the minibus took us to Burton Mill pond.
More info' on this beautiful historic site at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/places-to-visit-and-explore/burton-mill-and-chingford-pond/ and below.

The skies clouded over with short spells of heavy rain washing away any hopes of seeing damselflies or dragonflies here.  We were then driven to Graffham Common,
https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/graffham-common where a Golden-ringed Dragonfly posed and departed before a photo' was taken.
We were met by two rangers from Sussex Wildlife Trust with Jane explaining the management of the reserve before expertly leading us around and pointing out numerous plants and historical sites.

Heath-spotted Orchid

Tree Bumblebee on Cross-leaved Heath

Pines have been thinned out and Rhododendrons removed to allow heathland plants to thrive.

Common Heath Moth, female

Common Heath Moth, male

Common Cudweed, Filago vulgaris.  An annual, which is not so common.

Hairy Shieldbug - Dolycoris baccarum

The website at https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/dolycoris_baccarum.html
has a very fine explanation and photo's of this bug.

Wolf spider, Pardosa sp.

Wolf spiders were numerous carrying their egg sacs.

Wolf milk fungus, Lycogala epidendrum-- a slime mold

 Actually Wolf milk fungus, Lycogala epidendrum is not a fungus but a slime mold.  Here are the fruiting bodies of single celled individuals, which move about as very small, red amoeba-like organisms called plasmodia. Reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycogala_epidendrum

Barrows, ancient burial mounds.

William Coleman

William is the charismatic and enthusiastic chairman of the Chailey Commons Society.  He pointed out the "Serpent Trail" which had been walked by the Mid Sussex Ramblers.
http://www.midsussexramblers.co.uk/home

Green Alconet

Some interesting info' at http://highburywildlifegarden.org.uk/the-garden/bees-faves/alkanet/

Jane amongst the bilberries.

Heath star moss, Campylopus introflexus

Heath star moss, Campylopus introflexus, is native to the antipodes and probably arrived in England on the boots of soldiers during the world wars.

Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia

Jane showed the three heather species, L to R, Cross-leaved Heath, Ling and Bell Heather together.

Heath Bedstraw

Marsh Pennwort

A terrific day: thanks to Jojo and William.