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In very simple terms, Eastling comprises a broad area
of farmland running north to south along the line of the
Faversham-Eastling-Otterden Road with, to the east and the
west of this, two belts of woodlands, much of these in dry
valleys.
Inevitably, this layout has a major influence on the natural
flora and fauna of the area. From the comments of local
residents and enthusiastic visitors, it seems clear that
our parish is home to a fascinating array of plants and
animals sharing our environ- ment through the seasons.
Trees
The most numerous type of tree in the Parish is probably
sweet chestnut, mostly grown as a “crop” in coppices and
home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
However, most people are probably much more aware of the
attractive mixed woodland areas and their typical chalk
downland trees like beech, ash, hornbeam, oak, hazel and
field maple. Within the village area, most gardens have
at least one tree - varying from ornamental imports to native
English species.
By far the most famous tree in Eastling is the 2,000-year
-old Yew close to the porch of St Mary Church. This provided
the source material for new yews planted in many other British
churchyards to mark the new Millennium. Another famous local
tree is the Arnold’s Oak, close to the Eastling-Throwley
Road, which has the remains of a man trap set in its trunk.
Probably the parish’s most unusual tree is the “monkey
puzzle” outside The Limes on the Otterden Road.
Eastling’s elm trees - more than 60 of them - did not escape
the ravages of Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s. To help restore
the balance, over 20 native English trees were planted at
the new Village Hall in 1999 and six trees in public locations
in the village in February 2001. Plans are also in hand
for extensive tree planting on the Belmont Estate lands
in the Parish.
Plants
The Parish Appraisal did not ask about local plants (possibly
an oversight!).
Most villagers, though, will be very aware of the swathes
of cow parsley alongside local roads in the early summer,
the superb displays of bluebells in some local woods and
the naturalised daffodils introduced on a number of verges.
Amphibians, reptiles and insects
An important habitat for the parish’s amphibians today
are garden ponds. According to the Village Appraisal, Eastling
has plenty. Almost all the owners say these are home to
frogs, toads, water snails and common newts.
Sightings of reptiles at Eastling mainly involve the slowworm
- really a lizard with no legs. A few grass snakes have
also been seen, but there are no reports of adders. Four
families mentioned dragonfly sightings and there was one
report of glow-worms seen on the roadside in Newnham Lane.
Birds
The mixture of woodland, arable and grazing land helps
to encourage a fairly wide range of bird species. Lack of
areas of open water means waterfowl are largely absent.
Sightings by local residents included: kestrels and sparrow
hawks, rooks, jays, magpies and crows and the swallow and
housemartin “summer visitors”. Seventeen mentioned woodpeckers.
And few will have missed the sound of the cuckoo echoing
across the village in the spring and early summer.
Lots of people referred to pheasants and partridge, with
a few intrigued by the white pheasants seen in fields close
to the village.
Sadly, some farmland birds - like the song thrush, skylark,
lapwing and linnet - seem to be in decline - with few or
no sightings.
Among the birds people spotted close to home were blackbirds,
starlings, various tits, fieldfares, wrens, robins, wagtails,
redwings, gold- finches and chaffinches. Collar doves, pigeons
and even pheasants are regular callers at some gardens,
taking the opportunity of a free meal!
For eight families, herons - attracted by a garden pond
- had proved less welcome visitors.
Mammals
In the Appraisal Survey, a number of people reported seeing
larger mammals like foxes and badgers. Plenty had seen various
types of mice, shrews, hedgehogs, grey squirrels and - far
less welcome - rats, rabbits and moles.
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