Peartree Green hosted its first ever Bio Blitz on Saturday, August 5, which attracted both amateur naturalists from outside the area and local residents who wanted to find out more about the flora and fauna on the Green – writes Jill Doubleday.
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Organised by the Friends of Peartree Green and led by Phil Budd, the ecologist working with the Friends and the chairman of Southampton Natural History society, the day was a great success, attracting both amateur naturalists from outside the area and local residents who wanted to find out more about the flora and fauna on the Green.
Lizzy Peat of Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre was kept busy logging the finds and answering questions. Our final tally was 155 species!
Phil Budd led two walks, one on botany (wildflowers and grasses) and one on insects. His tips on identifying species were much appreciated. Phil’s highlights were spotting a Common Centaury with six petals instead of the usual five (pictured) and a wasp spider. He also found some mushrooms known as the Prince, and said he planned to have them for Sunday’s breakfast but couldn’t reach them all!
Local tree expert Jonathan Fulcher was equally informative, finding oak galls and showing his group how to work out the age of an ash tree. Lindsay McCulloch, Planning Ecologist at Southampton City Council, was invaluable for her local knowledge, and was particularly pleased with the keen interest of children who came, including Lucy Marler-Hausen, aged 9 (pictured, with Lizzy Peet).
As Lindsay put it, “Children haven't changed. They just need the opportunities to get involved – and this is where groups like the Friends of Peartree Green are so important.”
Paul Lewzey, Chair of the Friends group, echoed her words, thanking everyone who’d come along and both organisers and volunteers for contributing to a very successful day, along with the Crafty Bug Cafe for supplying refreshments.
More activities are planned, including a litter pick on Sunday September 3, a Fungi Foray on Saturday October 28 and a series of volunteering days to clear paths.
If you’d like to find out more, find Friends of Peartree Green on Facebook or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also keep an eye on local noticeboards and join the social meeting in the Peartree Inn, Sholing Road. The next meeting is September 12, 7.30 pm, and we meet every other month on the second Tuesday.
Jill Doubleday