Long wait to discover future of Crossness Nature Reserve

A ‘smiling’ horse at Crossness Nature Reserve Image: Karen Sutton (Image: Karen Sutton) Spring is upon us though at times it scarcely feels like it. Just when we think sunshine might be here to stay there’s a warning about premature expectations of reliable sunny weather. March began with a run of four successive days where the temperature reached 15C. I recall having to remove layers of winter clothing while visiting Dungeness RSPB reserve.

Just four days later a deluge of rain, hail and sleet left my garden shrouded in white for several hours as the temperature plunged to 3C. How confusing must this have been for animals, birds, insects and plants who began reacting to warmth before discovering they jumped the gun.  

Wild Things: Call for help identifying lichen

Crossness warden Karen Sutton reports plenty of spring activity on her Belvedere-based nature reserve. By March 15 she had seen the first cowslip of the season as well as red dead-nettle, white dead-nettle, and speedwell in flower, and tonnes of cherry plum in blossom. 

This attracted lots of bee activity. Buff-tailed and white-tailed bumblebee queens are particularly prevalent, and butterflies, particularly commas, have been seen. Brimstone, and red admiral were also spotted. Birds are holding breeding territories while there’s evidence of barn owl and water vole activity.

“It’s a wonderful time of year; certainly my favourite season,” says Karen who made a couple of grazing horses smile as she passed their field one day. Or perhaps they were just after her cheesy snack.

Spring blossom at Crossness Nature Reserve Image: Karen Sutton (Image: Karen Sutton) Karen is still embroiled in the long and complex fight against a new Cory’s Carbon Capture facility encroaching onto reserve land.  Interested parties including the RSPB and local conservation groups as well as individuals have completed site visits.

Wild Things: Searching in vain for butterflies

Examinations conclude by the end of May and the examining authority will then have three months to complete a recommendation report for the secretary of state. It may be near year’s end before the fate of Crossness reserve is known.

Further details from: savecrossnessnaturereserve.org