Chailey Common

Meeting date: 23 May 2010

(Leader: Rita Hemsley)

On the hottest day of the year so far, thirteen members met on Chailey Common to increase the records in four tetrads, each of which had approximately 255 species recorded. Two groups left by car to update TQ32R at Scaynes Hill and TQ32O in another part of the Common, while the remaining group walked to TQ32W. Scaynes Hill provided the most records, including as it did an urban environment. We returned for lunch in the shade on Red House Common and, although very hot, everyone continued in the afternoon in TQ32V, spending more time searching in the shade than out in the open. Moving from the Common to neighbouring fields and damp woods proved more productive, and Ernie found a feral goldfish swimming in a ditch, though for how much longer the ditch would contain water was uncertain. After adding 22 new records we returned to the Common and enthusiastically searched for the missing scarce species Chamaemelum nobile (Wild Camomile), but to no avail. We added 102 new records in total, thanks to the hard work of all who came.