Nature Watch

The latter days of May had wet and unsettled weather which again made observation and recording very difficult. The scheduled Nature Walk on 27th May was cancelled due to wet weather, Early in May a female Crossbill was seen. Crossbills produce young in January through to March and two young were sighted in the canopy of the Pine trees in the west of Slop Bog dry heath. These may possibly have come from the nearby Uddens Plantation which provides the habitat of dense Pines for them to feed on. The pair of Stonechats have only managed to produce one young this season. The Tree Pipit young fledged successfully in the first week of June. A pair of Kestrels reappeared in the northern areas of Slop Bog. Birds using the nest boxes have now finished rearing young. Great Tits usually only rear one brood but Blue Tits often have a second.

On Sunday 10th June a Butterfly survey on Slop Bog was undertaken by volunteer recorders. An estimated 100 male Silver Studded Blue were seen in flight, with only a few female on the wing. Male usually outnumber the females as many females gather in deep foliage out of sight. A number of Painted Lady Butterflies were also recorded.

In the Wet Wood, Yellow Iris and Royal Ferns have been observed.

Large Red, Small Red and Azure Blue Dragonflies have been spotted as have Large Hawker, Four Spotted Chaser, Keeled Skimmer and Broad Bodied Dragonflies.

A small amount of Cotton Grass with the fluffy white heads are visible in one pond and scattered over the wet heathland. A recent pond dipping showed the occupancy of Water Spiders, Stickleback fish (on which the Kingfisher feeds) and Saucer Beetles (beware, these beetles administer a rather nasty bite). On the boardwalk many Common Lizards are now being spotted on warmer days.

Recorded rainfall for the period approx 55 millimetres

Nature Fact

The Newt is one of the few creatures to be able to regrow a limb should they lose one. If these little animals can avoid being preyed on, they may live up to 20 years.

Site Management

The Guardian work party installed a larger kissing gate improving access to the dry heathland area for parents with pushchairs and the disabled in mobility chairs. An extra work party in early June assisted the D.C.C. Ranger with the placement of an Interpretation Board