Interesting observations We have set up a page for interesting observations from Weir Wood. It is accessible from the Sightings page. New contributions are welcome.
View the reservoir live
The Sailing Club webcam allows three different live views of the reservoir and can be accessed by clicking on the reservoir image at the top of our web pages. Viewers will also have the option of consulting the the Sailing Club’s comprehensive weather station. Both facilities could be useful for birdwatchers and others to look at before leaving home for a visit to Weir Wood.
Look out for this new bumblebee
Bombus hypnorum is a bumblebee that has recently been spreading north in Britain. It first arrived about 10 years ago and sometimes nests in bird boxes. It is fairly easy to identify - look for a bee with a ginger thorax, black abdomen and white tail tip. The Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society is collecting data about its spread. Visit http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_map.htm to see photos and/or submit records.
Circular walk around the reservoir and its surrounds
We recently found a leaflet someone had kindly left in the bird hide describing a circuit walk round the reservoir and its surrounds (13 or 9 km, depending on whether or not you take the shortcut). This is a frequent question from visitors to Weir Wood, so we have added a link to the downloadable leaflet on our Links page. Also obtained from here by clicking on http://fancyfreewalks.org/E.Sussex/WeirWood.pdf
LiDAR archaeological images of Weir Wood and surrounds
LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a survey technique which transmits laser pulses from a plane to the ground. Using the principle of measuring distance through time, the returning reflection records the location of surface points with a high degree of accuracy. The resulting 3-dimensional co-ordinates are used to produce digital models of the surface – from the highest point that the laser hits (first return) through to the lowest point (last return). The modelling strips away the tree canopy and vegetation to reveal the shape of the ground. This shows up earthworks such as hollows, mounds and lines of banks, revealing previously unseen archaeological features.
LiDAR is particularly useful in heavily wooded areas such as the Weald Forest Ridge. LiDAR images for the whole Forest Ridge area can be freely viewed or downloaded on line.
To access those for the Weir Wood area click HERE.
To learn about interpreting LiDAR images click HERE.
