Nature Notes January

The weather throughout January was similar to that of December, with windy and wet days and nights, with the occasional frost. Another relatively quiet month for observing the wildlife on the Reserve.

SIGHTINGS

Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Grey Heron, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.

Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer, Fox.

Insects: Buff-tailed Bees, Midges.

Plants in Flower: Common Gorse.

Fungi: Polypore.

Sparrowhawks were very active along the Hazelwood boundary, with the predating of a Greenfinch witnessed.

Two pairs of Bullfinch were sighted on a daily basis in Hazelwood area.

The clearing and surveying of the nesting boxes on site took place during January. The total boxes used for last years nesting season was 20 out of 42.  It is important to provide what appears to be surplus nesting sites as the birds move around to different areas to claim their territories. Several damaged boxes were removed for replacement.

The first sounds of birds calling for mates, where they are not already matched, were heard in January; male Great Tits and Robins being most evident.

Sphagnum Moss has done well throughout the Winter months, due to the wet conditions, forming large hummocks at the edge of pools.

SITE MANAGEMENT

Two work parties were held in January when clearing of invasive holly in the south west area of the Reserve continued. The next work party is scheduled for Thursday 1^st March. Details will be posted on the www.slopbog.org blog page.

Nature Fact

Sphagnum Moss grows on moors, marshes, bogs and wet heathlands, where the soil is acidic.

Work Party 11th January

We will be continuing to thin the Holly we started to clear on the last work party.  Meet at the Redwood Drive entrance at 10am.  Tools, gloves, refreshments available.  Please wear old clothes – we will likely have a bonfire.

Nature Notes December

The weather in December delivered many windy, wet days, although on the whole temperatures were mild albeit with a few very frosty cold days and nights, and a some sleet flurries. The Reserve looked bleak on many occasions, with most of the inhabitants seen on the perimeter, where cover was provided by trees and bushes.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Blackheaded Gulls, Common Gulls, Grey Herons, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Male Blackcap, Goldcrest, Stonechats, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Longtailed Tits.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Brown Rats.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects : Bees. Plants in Flower: Common Gorse.
Fungi: Polypore.
The wet and windy conditions did not encourage wild life to show. On several cold frosty mornings, Brown Rats were seen on the Hazelwood boundary.

SITE MANAGEMENT
A Tawny Owl nesting box was constructed by a Guardian volunteer and installed by two volunteer site recorders, to replace a damaged box. There was no work party – the next one will be held on 11th January at 10am. Details will be posted on this blog page.

Nature Fact

The preferred nesting box for a Tawny Owl is a chimneystyle box, made to mimic the hollow, rotten end of a broken branch. These can be surprisingly narrow and deep, open at the upper end. The box is fixed at an angle of 45 degrees to ensure rain does not enter through the open top end. Drainage holes are drilled in the bottom end and wood chips are placed inside at the base.