RXwildlife Sightings

I have come across the very distinctive apple of Peru or shoo-fly plant, Nicandra physaloides, several times this year, though it is not a plant I have seen in the wild before. My latest sighting was of several plants still in flower in a private garden in Baldslow on the outskirts of Hastings and I have also seen it in Balcombe Green, Sedlescombe.

It is an alien species from, as the name suggests, South America and poisonous to boot. As the shape of the fruit suggests, it is related to the Physalis fruit, or Cape gooseberry sometimes sold in supermarkets.

I wonder if anyone else has seen it locally this year and if it is going to become a familiar plant.

Please note that two of the planned talks at The Iden and District Natural History Society have swapped their dates.
December 8th and January 26th dates have been switched. See the published list of talks here which shows the talks BEFORE the change.

Dunlin, snipe and a flock of 23 golden plover were visible from Denge Marsh hide and stonchats were seen around the trail.

A new exibition will be starting soon at Dungeness Visitor and Education Centre.

From 3rd December until 1st January, David Featherbe, wildlife photographer, will be displaying his work.

Dave’s great variety if images range from gannets on the Bass Rock, thourgh South African wildlife to landscapes of the Romney Marsh.

Entry to the visitor centre and exhibition is free.