Would you like to learn more about bats?

Why not try one of Harts bat walks, experience one of our amazing sites in the dark listen to the owls whilst marvelling at the bats feeding over head. How many might we see?

Would you like to volunteer?

Would you like to volunteer at Fleet Pond? Why not join us on a volunteer Sunday our first task of the season is on Sunday 8th September please email countryside@hart.gov.uk for more information and to book your place :D

Moth trapping

Out moth trapping last night and caught this beautiful moth from the fungus moth family Tineidae. The species is called Tinea semifulvella and the larvae can be found feeding on birds nests. Birds nests are a great habitat and home to lots of insects including fleas mites and flat flies.

Bats at Hartley Wintney

Last night Rangers Leigh and Louise went out after work to survey the bats on Hartley Wintney Central Common. The common is Nationally important for its bat interest. We were very lucky to find a bat roost and watch a group of young bats take their first flight 

Fleet Pond Golf Course

Did you know there used to be a golf course at Fleet Pond and this is one of the greens

Sir Owlfred Hoot

Have you met the Fleet Pond Owl?

Den building

A beautiful den in the Fleet Pond picnic area. What is your favourite thing to do in the countryside?

Rowan tree

This is a rowan tree or mountain ash. It has lots of yummy berries which are loved by mistle thrushes and Waxwings. The wood was often used to make handles for tools or cart wheels. The rowan has many associations with magic and witches. Its old celtic name is 'fid na ndruad' which means wizards tree. In Ireland it was planted near houses to protect them against spirits, especially of the dead. In Wales rowans were often planted in churchyards. In Scotland there was a strong taboo against cutting down a rowan. The wood was seen as the most protective part and was used for stirring milk (to prevent it curdling), as a pocket charm against rheumatism and made into divining rods. The protective power is thought to come from the bright red berries, as red was thought to be the best colour for fighting evil. The only place that still retains some rowan rituals is the Isle of Man

Honey Bees

Lots of Honey Bees feeding on the Heather at Fleet Pond

Chicken of the Woods

The signs of Autumn lots of fungi coming up on Harts countryside sites. This is called Chicken of the woods what a great name!

What am I?

I have eyelids, I don't have a distinct head, i don't have legs and I will shed my tail if threatened. What am I?

Common Fleabane

This is common Fleabane it is a member of the daisy family. There is lots of it growing in the meadows at Edenbrook Country Park. It is an important nectar source for bees, hoverflies and butterflies.

Edenbrook Country Park

Lots of Freshwater Mint at Edenbrook Country Park it smells amazing like spearmint and the bees love it!

Grazing

Rangers Louise and Rachel were out inspecting the grazing fences.

Chainsaw Carvings

Lots more beautiful carvings by chainsaw artist Rob for the Hartley Wintney Nature Trail. I love the heron it's amazing!

Warbler Moult Strategies

Migrant warblers have different moult strategies. This is an adult Reed Warbler which does a complete moult including its primary feathers in Africa during the winter so it is in tip top condition to fly to Fleet Pond and breed it. Now it has very worn feathers and has to fly back to Africa before it can moult them again. However Blackcaps do a complete moult in the summer after breeding so they fly back to Africa in good condition but they then have have to keep those feathers through the winter, flying back to Fleet Pond, finding a mate and breeding before they moult again. Willow warblers have the best of both worlds they do both a summer and winter complete moult this is great as they are in great condition just before both of their flight to Africa and back, but it makes them difficult to age.

Sedge Warbler

Bird ringing before work and caught a juvenile Sedge Warbler. They are amazing birds you can tell it hasn't done its post juvenile moult yet as it has a lovely speckled collar

Tree Safety

Today ranger Louise and Assistant Senior Ranger Leigh are surveying the trees at Fleet Pond to make sure they are all safe and healthy 

Hunts Common Community Orchard

The drop posts at Hunts Common community orchard look great 

Summer Chafer

This is a summer chafer it is related to the May bug and is sometimes called the June beetle. It is slightly smaller. They are attracted to light at night and live in gardens and hedgerows what an amazing beetle! What is your favourite beetle?

Community Noticeboard at Elvetham Heath LNR

A beautifully carved Community Noticeboard has been put in at Elvetham Heath LNR by the Pond.  Please feel free to pop up posters about local events and activities.  Please remove them once they are out of date.

Thank you JDB for helping us put the noticeboard in.

New drop posts in Hartley Wintney

The new wildlife trail is going in at Hartley Wintney Central Commons. The beautiful drop posts made by JDB contractors on Wildlife Day using their mobile sawmill are being carved this week into woodland creatures. There are 20 dotted around Hartley Wintney can you find them all?

Bat Walk at Elvetham Heath

Friday 6th September 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Find out all about these fascinating flying mammals and other nocturnal creatures that only become active at night! Join Hart's Countryside Rangers on a stroll around Elvetham Heath using bat detectors and recording the bat species found using the nature reserve at night.

booking is essential you can book online @ www.threesixfive.org.uk/countryside/guided-walks or contact Hart Countryside Service on 01252 623443 or email us on countryside@hart.gov.uk The walks are charged at £3 per adult and £2 per Child. Payable on the day. Walks must be booked a week before the walk, we may 

cancel a walk if there is insufficient interest at this time.

Elvetham Heath Wins Green Flag Award for the fourth year in a row!

Elvetham Heath Local Nature Reserve & Open Spaces has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award for the fourth year in a row. The nature reserve and surrounding areas are managed in partnership with Hart Countryside Services, Elvetham Heath Parish Council and the shared Basingstoke and Dean Grounds Maintenance service.

Hartley Wintney Central Commons are one of the best countryside sites in the UK

Hartley Wintney Central Commons has won the prestigious Green Flag Award. The common is among a record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award.

The national award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Hartley Wintney Central Commons is an amazing place; it has lots of areas for different activities from watching Cricket on Cricketers Green to the Community Orchard at Hunt’s Common, sitting under the majestic oaks on Central Common to a quiet woodland walk through Phoenix Green. 

Cllr Sara Kinnell, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Environmental Promotions says: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award. Hartley Wintney Central Commons is a beautiful area and not only important for wildlife, but for local people, children and adults alike. Hart Countryside Services, Hartley Wintney Parish Council and the shared Basingstoke and Dean Grounds Maintenance service, have worked hard to ensure the commons are maintained to a high standard for the enjoyment of the whole community, and we will strive to maintain this high level for years to come.”

This Award recognises and highlights that people in Hartley Wintney are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.

“Hartley Wintney Parish Council is thrilled that the judges have awarded the village Green Flag status. We are very proud of our wonderful, unique commons and are glad that they have been given the recognition they deserve. Our congratulations to the Hart District Council Rangers for their hard work in securing this award.” – Chairman Cllr Dorothy Harvey.

In addition Elvetham Heath Local Nature Reserve & Open Spaces has been recognised as one of the country’s bestgreen spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award for the fourth year in a row. The nature reserve and surrounding areas are managed in partnership with Hart Countryside services, Elvetham Heath Parish Council and the shared Basingstoke and Dean Grounds Maintenance service.

The record number of awards across the country means more people than ever before will have access to well-managed, quality green space, which is vital to people’s health and wellbeing.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “We are thrilled to announce yet another record-breaking year forGreen Flag Award parks and green spaces.

“A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for the hard work and dedication of all the parks managers, staff and volunteers who have helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy.

“Quality green spaces are absolutely essential to happy, healthy communities. They are fundamental to our quality of life, whether in cities, towns or villages. That is why it is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”