December on Hothfield Heathlands: Mosses and lichens
In our December instalment about Hothfield we focus on mosses and lichens on the reserve. Read on to find out more.
Topics: Hothfield Heathland
Hothfield Heathlands in November: Full of colour & life
Long-time volunteer Margery Thomas explores what Hothfield Heathlands is like on a crisp November day.
Hothfield Heathlands: A big thank you!
Area Manager, Ian Rickards, takes a moment to reflect on the work at Hothfield Heathlads throughout the summer months.
August on Hothfield Heathlands: Tree pipits and ragwort
Pigs and tree pipits have returned to Hothfield Heathlands. Long-time volunteer Margery Thomas explores more in this blog.
Dragonflies at Hothfield Heathlands
Hothfield Heathland's bogs are one of only a handful of wet heaths in the Southeast, supporting a variety of dragonflies...
June on Hothfield Heathlands
We have had the driest spring since 1956, with river and stream flow already well below average for the time of year, a worry for everyone. Area Manager Ian Rickards reports that “this crazy weather has been beneficial for some insects, but the vegetation is already struggling, which will have a knock-on effect other insects later in the year. Water levels are dropping dramatically, with ponds and water bodies drying out very quickly.” The livestock have water troughs but the thin layer of peat in the bogs can dry out easily and be eroded by wind when exposed as plants adapted to damp conditions wither. The successive broods of nestling birds mostly eat insects and larvae, which provide moisture as well as protein, so they are also at risk.
Toothwort on Hothfield Heathlands in May
Volunteer Margery Thomas talks us through a fascinating species you can find on Hothfield Heathlands in May: toothwort! Read all about it and the recent bird counts at the reserve here.
Spring on the wing: April on Hothfield Heathlands
Hothfield Heathlands volunteer & writer, Margery Thomas, explores what the reserve is like at this time of year.
March on Hothfield Heathlands: A land of pollen!
Long-time volunteer, Margery Thomas, tells all about March on our Hothfield Heathland reserve!
A year at Hothfield Heathlands with Ashford Area Warden Will
Ashford Area Warden Will Glasson reflects on his first full year working across the local sites in this blog, co-written with long-time volunteer Margery Thomas.