Nature Watch

After a period of wind and heavy rain at the end of November, the weather changed to clear, sunny days and hard frosts on most nights. A quiet time on the heathland with only larger birds sighted ie Magpies, Jays, Crows and Woodpeckers. The smaller all year resident birds can be seen on most days especially at the feeder tables on the embankment of Kingfisher Creek. The only recordings of the more elusive birds on site have been a Mistle Thrush, Snipe and a female Grey Wagtail in the North West corner of the Reserve. No mammals have been seen for some time - it is possible they are keeping to the shelter of woodland areas. Fungi are sparse with only a few Bracket showing on birch trees.

Two further photographs of spiders, taken by George Dunkling during the Summer survey, are shown below.

Nature Fact

During the Autumn, Robins show extreme aggression to each other defending their feeding rights. This changes during December as interest in each other suddenly switches to that of pairing. Having paired up, the birds separate but remain true to their partners until the Spring when they meet up to mate. Several large species of birds, Owls and Woodpeckers among them, also behave in this way.

Site Management

Brush burning continued following the recent tree felling. Nest box monitors have completed the annual survey and emptied the used boxes of their contents. Several boxes have been re-sited and repairs made as required. The survey of the 37 boxes on site revealed:- 27 with constructed nests, 7 empty, 2 chimney style Owl boxes recently installed, 1 large Owl box not inspected. At this time of year the boxes offer shelter and overnight roosting for small birds.

Nature Watch

Very mixed weather conditions during the past month. Mostly overcast but a few warm dry days, a cold snap and some torrential downpours with strong winds. The cold spell held back fungi development until recently when milder conditions encouraged growth.

SIGHTINGS

Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Great/Blue/Coal/Longtail Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Buzzard, a female Roe Deer. A visiting flock of Redwing have been seen in Hazelwood. There were two separate sightings of Crossbill in the North West of the site.

There has been no recent movement from the Foxes earth in the bank skirting Hazelwood. It is a possibility they vacated their earth due to the noise and disturbance during path resurfacing and tree felling in close proximity to their home. Monitoring will continue.

Three bird fatalities were reported within the last two weeks; a Goldfinch, female Kestrel and a young male Great Spotted Woodpecker. All these birds were resident in Hazelwood regularly visiting garden feeding stations. All flew into plate glass windows of houses bordering the Reserve. This is a frequent occurrence but can be avoided by the application of nature window stickers on large areas of glass.

The last Pipistrelle Bat sighting and reading was taken on 2nd November. Although the weather has been mild for a period since, there have been no further recordings.

Two photographs taken by George Dunkling during the Summer Spider Survey 2008 are shown below

Nature Fact

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, our most common Woodpecker, not only drums on tree trunks but also on street lights. This action is to announce their presence.

Site Management

Surfacing of the new permissive footpath through the Western end of Hazelwood has been completed. Several large unstable trees have been felled and unsafe boughs removed from standing trees in this area. Clearance and disposal of brush will be ongoing over forthcoming months. Many new log piles have been formed to provide homes for small mammals, reptiles and insects.

The boardwalk, which becomes slippery in wet and/or icy conditions, has had non-slip material applied to part of its length. Plans to apply some sort of material to the remainder will depend on future funding levels.

Two further Owl boxes constructed by members of the Slop Bog Guardians have been installed, one in Hazelwood East and the other in Wet Wood East.

Nature Watch

Mixed weather conditions this period with heavy rain, strong winds and warm clear bright days. As Autumn is upon us the Reserve has mellowed, with warm colours showing on the deciduous trees and the last of the heathland heather flowers still attracting bees on sunny days. The misty damp mornings give the visitor the opportunity to view the multitude and variety of spiders' webs adorning trees, gorse and heather. These can easily go undetected so an observation walk is strongly recommended.
The Goldcrest and tit species are busy on the pine tree canopy extracting seeds from the cones. A Kingfisher has been spotted on route from the boardwalk area travelling north to Uddens Water.
Watch out for flocks of birds in the coming months. Some are gathering to migrate eg Swallows/Swifts, some are arriving for our Winter eg Redwing/Fieldfare whilst others are resident Winter flocks of Starling and Finches. Also watch out and listen for flocks of Crossbill moving at speed across the site.
Many fungi are now appearing so look out for them in the woodland areas.

SIGHTINGS

Hazel Wood: Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Greenfinch, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Wrens, Blackbirds, Robins, Nuthatch, Goldcrests, Tawny Owl, Long Tailed/Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Buzzard, Pipistrelle Bats, Large White/Painted Lady/Red Admiral/Speckled Wood butterflies, Bracket and Common Earth Star fungi.

Wet Wood: Jays, Goldcrests, Nuthatch,Song Thrush, Blue/Great/Long Tailed/Coal Tits, Robins,Blackbirds.

Boardwalk: Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kestrel, Jays, Magpies, Swallows.

Beaufoys Plantation: Jays, Buzzard, Long Tailed/Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Redstart, Stock Doves.

Heathland: Ravens, Kestrel, Buzzards, Magpies, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Nature Fact

Not all spiders catch their prey by using webs. An example is the Wolf Spider which is strong and has long legs which enable it to chase and catch small prey such as beetles, caterpillars and slugs

Site Management

Clearance of the new permissive footpath through the woodland at the west end of Hazelwood is nearing completion in preparation for hard surfacing. A small number of large trees and limbs of trees identified as unstable will be removed in forthcoming weeks.

Nature Watch

August proved to be a very poor month for wildlife sightings with with few butterflies and dragonflies. This has been the case on many other nature reserves.

RECORDINGS

Kestrel, Buzzard, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Willow Warble, Blackcap, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long Tailed Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Magpies, Jays, Nuthatch, Large White Butterflies, Common Darter Dragonflies, Bog Cricket Velvet Ant, Bees, Smooth Snake, Common Lizards, 30-40 species of Spider.

George Dunkling together with son Mark have undertaken an ongoing survey of spiders resident on the Reserve. Investigations were made at different locations ie on Heather, Gorse, Purple Moor Grass, brambles, rough ground and the boardwalk. Two thirds of the spiders found have been identified. Over coming months, photographs taken by George will be shown on this web site.

George, our site photographer, wildlife monitor and life long naturalist has recently been requested by the R.S.P.B to lead a fungi walk at their Sedgemoor reserve in Somerset. George led a very well attended and successful fungi walk for the R.S.P.B at Arne last Autumn as well as many nature walks on Slop Bog.

Nature Fact

The Velvet Ant is not a true ant at all as the larvae are parasitoids, Bumble-bees being the host insect. The male has wings, the more often seen female is wingless. Both have an orange thorax and a hairy coat. They frequent dry habitats and heathland.

Site Management

Felling of trees from within the enclosure has now been completed opening up a larger dry heath clearing thus providing essential habitat for reptiles, one being the rare Sand Lizard. The Guardians work party continued to clear a route for a new permissive woodland path. The path is scheduled for completion by 31 January 2009 and it is hoped it will help to relieve pressure on the fragile heathland and the wildlife found there.

Three donated bat boxes have been sited on trees along Kingfisher Creek.

Another calf has been produced by one of the grazing cows.

Nature Watch

Another wet and windy period with only a few short spells of dry, warm days. This has been a quiet time with fewer sightings than previous months.

RECORDINGS

Hazel Wood: Tawny Owls, Chaffinch, Wren, Blackbirds, Greenfinch, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Speckled Wood butterflies, Pipistrelle Bats. Plants - Herb Robert, Thyme Leaved Speedwell, Geum, Arum, Enchanter's Nightshade, Cross Leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Blackberries. Spiders - Hammock Web, Nursery, Funnel or Sheet Web, Harvestman, Looper.

Wet Wood: Great Tits, Blackbirds, Jay, 3 Roe Deer.

Boardwalk: Common Lizard, Cotton Grass.

Heathland: Silver Studded Blue/pair of Camberwell Beauty butterflies, Grasshoppers, Southern Hawker dragonfly, Kestral, Buzzard, Magpie, Sundews, Dwarf Gorse, Broad Leaved Helleborine.

Flocks of House Martins and Crossbills in flight were seen over the West Woodland circular walk.

Badgers have been spotted in a garden on the West side of the Reserve - the first sighting made in recent years.

Birds are now in their quiet vocal month prior to establishing Winter territories. Migratory birds will be preparing for their long journeys to warmer climates. The Nightjar normally departs from mid-August.

Nature Fact

Badgers have powerful front feet perfect for digging out wasps and bees nests, earthworms, bulbs and roots.

Event

The Guardians, namely George and Audrey Dunkling together with Keith and Christine Wilcox, exhibited a history of Slop Bog at the Kinson Common Open day held on Sunday 10th August. The weather stayed dry enabling the many visitors to view the displays on offer.

Site Management

The Hazelwood path, running adjacent to gardens of Hazel Drive, has been resurfaced primarily financed by the Slop Bog Guardians LHI grant. The Aberdeen Angus cow which recently gave birth has been removed from the Reserve. She proved to be very protective of her calf and aggresive to passers-by.

Nature Watch

Erratic weather conditions continued with long periods of strong winds and heavy rainfall hindering recording and making the Reserves inhabitants reluctant to show themselves.

RECORDINGS

Hazel Wood: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bees, Blackberry bushes in flower.

Wet Wood: Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Wren, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Raft Spiders, Pond Skaters, Chiffchaffs, Wren, Southern Hawker Dragonflies, Bog Asphodel in flower on the bog.

Heathland: Grasshoppers, Broad Bodied/Southern Hawker Dragonflies, Gatekeeper/Orange Tip/Large Skipper/Meadow Brown/Silver Studded Blue Butterflies, Bees, Stonechats, Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit, Jays, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sundew in flower, Bog Asphodel in flower, Common Orchid in flower bud.

A recent survey of Silver Studded Blue butterflies by the DCC Conservation Rangers has shown a significant fall in numbers compared with previous years.

Fewer sightings of both reptiles and amphibians for this period.

Note the lack of yellow feather colour of Blue and Great Tits this year. This indicates a problem in the natural food chain with a huge reduction of caterpillars which are the source of the feather pigment.

Very few butterfly species have been seen on the wing to date.

Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers have been very noticeable around the fringes of the Reserve this Summer. Hopefully they are now established for breeding this year and they may well return.

Nature Fact

Goldfinch, among other birds, swallow grit to aid digestion as they have no teeth.

Event

George and Audrey Dunkling, on behalf of the Slop Bog Guardians, will be presenting information (including a photographic display) at the Kinson Common Open Day on 10th August starting at 11am . This event offers many interesting displays from various organisations involved with natural history and conservation. All visitors welcome.

Site Management

Improvement carried out to the path adjacent to the Enclosure fence line which had been prone to flooding and extreme muddy conditions. The path has been raised to allow easier transit along this permissive footpath.
One of the Aberdeen Angus cows which graze the heathland gave birth to a calf in late June.

Nature Watch

There have been very mixed weather conditions during the past few weeks including prolonged rainfall, strong winds and hot days. Most of our garden and woodland birds have produced their young which have now fledged. Some species eg the Robin may produce a second brood

SIGHTINGS

Hazelwood: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch,Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Goldcrests, Wrens, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Blue/Great/Coal/Long tailed Tits, Songthrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks, Crows, Magpies, Wood Pigeon, Mallard Ducks, Grey Squirrel Fox, Speckled Wood butterflies, Holly Blue butterflies, Blusher Fungi, Cuckoo Wasps.

Wet Wood: Songthrush, Chiffchaffs, Jays, Magpies, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Wrens, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Great/Blue/Tits, Frog, Smooth Snake, Grass Snake, Large Red Damselfly, Banded Agrion, Common Blue damselfly, Broad Bodied Chaser/Four Spot Chaser dragonflies.

Boardwalk: Chiffchaffs, Newts, Common Water Boatman, Pond Skaters, Raft Spiders Common Lizards, Buzzards/Swallows in flight.

Heathland: Dartford Warblers, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jays, Heron/Buzzards in flight, Four Spot Chaser dragonflies, Silver Studded Blue butterfly, Female Roe Deer, Grass Snake.

Blackcaps continue to provide their delightful melodic song along Hazelwood path.

Mallard Ducks with nine young were seen in the Hazelwood stream.

Fox cubs were observed playing at the entrance of the earth in Hazelwood. One fatality has been reported, possibly caused by a passing dog.

The first sighting of a Silver Studded Blue butterfly this year was recorded on 5th June.

The year's first calling of a Nightjar, here to breed on the heathland, was recorded on 10th June.

Nature Fact

The Common Water Boatman can be distinguished from the Common Backswimmer as they swim the right way up. Backswimmers swim upside down. Water Boatman feed mainly on debris from the bottom of a pond or stream. When out of the water they fly well. Males rub their front legs against their heads producing a harsh grating noise.

Event

A Nature Observation Walk led by George Dunkling took place on 1st June, 9 people attended. Recordings made:- 19 flowering plants, 2 reptiles, 1 fungi, 3 water inhabitants, 3 insects, 1 spider and 13 bird species. Quiz poems were presented as an introduction of information to many of the observations made.

Site Management

Clearance of scrub continues. Four adult Aberdeen Angus cows with one calf are now in residence within the enclosure. Visitors with dogs are politely requested to keep them on leads in this area to avoid disturbance to the cattle, two of which are expecting calves.

Nature Watch

Although the end of April into early May was a cold period with heavy rain and thunderstorms, the past few weeks have been fair with warm sunshine. This has given a much needed kick - start to the season. Insects are much in evidence now, providing food for the many species of birds which rely on them for feeding hungry young.

SIGHTINGS

Hazelwood - Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chaffinches, Magpies, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal/Great/Blue/Long Tailed Tits, Song Thrush, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Jays, Slow Worms and Grass Snakes. Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies. Celandine. Thyme Leaved Speedwell, Garlic Mustard and Broom plants in flower.

Wet Wood - Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Coal/Great/Blue/Long Tailed Tits, Chiff Chaffs, Nuthatches, Jays, Sparrowhawk, Speckled Wood butterfly, Female Roe Deer, Bog Beacon fungi.

Heath - Buzzards, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers, Tree Pipits, Jays, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Wrens, Mistle Thrush, Marsh Harrier, Mallard Ducks, Small Heath and Brimstone butterflies, Lousewort plants in flower and a young Adder.

Boardwalk - Chiff Chaffs, Great Tits, Wrens, Heron, Swallow, Raft Spiders, Common Lizards, Newts, Great Diving Beetles, Pond Skaters.

A pair of Tree Pipits have returned from migration and can be seen and heard on the central heathland.

A Marsh Harrier flew over the site, South West to North East, on 20th April.

Mistle Thrushes have been observed in the Beaufoys Plantation, just to the left of the Redwood Drive entrance.

A pair of Chiff Chaffs have built a nest to the right of the East end bridge at the Boardwalk. Keep a look out for them when feeding of young commences.

The call of a Cookoo was heard from the North Woodland fringe on 11th May.

Many of the nesting boxes are in use with parent birds busy visiting with food for their young. Several early broods have already fledged..

The first Bat detection reading was taken on 25th April on a milder night. Pipistrelle Bats were also recorded visually.

Watch out for young Grass Snakes swimming in the stream bordering Hazelwood.


Recordings by Christine Wilcox

Nature Fact

Female Pipistrelle Bats will be actively looking for nursery sites during May to birth and raise their young. They selected a mate last September, hibernated from October to April delaying fertilisation until the warmer Spring weather. They give birth in the Summer.

Site Management

Encroaching aquatic plants were cleared from the Wet Wood stream at the East end bridge. Posts installed ahead of fencing off a small area adjacent to the Beaufoys Plantation fence line. This is to ensure the recently cropped gorse bushes are not trampled underfoot thereby enabling the young growth to flourish

Events

A Nature Observation walk led by George Dunkling took place on 27th April, just after a thunderstorm! Quiz poems and factual information featured. Fourteen people attended.

Nature Watch

Another period of changeable weather including warm sunny days, wet windy days, frosty mornings and a day of snow and sleet.

SIGHTINGS

Heathland - Buzzards in flight, Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Crows, Jackdaws in flight, Wrens, Goldcrest, Female Roe Deer and a pair of Mallard Ducks.

Hazel Wood - Brambling, Green Finch, Gold Finch, Chaffinch, Great/Coal/Blue/Long Tailed Tits, Jays, Crows, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Holly Blue/Peacock/Brimstone butterflies.

Wet Wood - Song Thrush, Wrens, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Blackbirds, Robins, Mallard Ducks.

The Mallards were seen taking advantage of the waterlogged paths on the central heath probing for worms on the soft earth.

The sighting of a male Brambling in Hazel Wood on the West boundary with Hazel Drive is the first recording since our records began four years ago. Probably passing through on its migration flight.

A pair of Nuthatch have been very vocal in Wet Wood. They are about to nest in a hole in a Cedar tree on the boundary of Beaufoys Avenue.

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been "drumming" at the West end of Hazel Wood path to declaring their nesting and feeding territory. They have been making regular visits to gardens in Hazel Drive for easy food from feeding stations.

Dartford Warblers and Stonechats are now selecting nest sites on the heath. A polite reminder to all dog owners, therefore, to keep their dogs on leads in the enclosed areas as requested by the signs on access gates.

We await arrival of Tree Pipits during April and Nightjars in May.

Adders, Grass Snakes and Slow Worms may be observed on warmer days in coming weeks as they bask in the sun after hibernation.


Recordings by Christine Wilcox

Nature Fact

Bramblings are seen mostly in large flocks during the Winter period. They usually return to Scandinavia and North East Europe in Summer to breed

Site Management

Cutting down old gorse bushes has continued along the enclosure fence line. Information rubbing plaques have been installed alongside various pathways. A listening post has been sited at the West end of the boardwalk enabling visitors to hear sounds of the wildlife found on the Reserve.

Nature Watch

The past four weeks have had a real mixture of weather conditions. Cold frosty mornings and nights, mild breezy days with sunshine and heavy rain with storm force winds. During this period the following sightings were recorded on monitoring visits:-

Birds in the woodland

Robins, Blackbirds, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Magpies, Crows, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Wrens, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and a Goldcrest bathing in the stream. A Cock Pheasant recorded in Hazel Wood has also been seen in the gardens of Hazel Drive adjoining the Reserve. The drumming of a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers is very evident in Hazel Wood.

Birds on the open heathland

Green Woodpeckers, Jay, Dartford Warblers, Stonechat, Meadow Pipits, Female Reed Bunting and a Snipe in flight.

The air is full of bird song at present with many species already started nest construction or seeking out potential nest sites. Ground nesting birds will be looking for sites at the base of gorse and within the heather. During coming weeks listen out for the arrival of Nightjars which produce a unique call at around dusk on the open heathland. Also the Tree Pipit returns, singing from the tallest pine trees and performing it's parachuting flight to the ground.

Gorse is in full flower at the moment with the sweet scent of coconut. The first blooms of primroses are now showing in Wet Wood.

The resident foxes in Hazel Wood may have produced a litter of cubs in March. Watch out for them during April as they emerge from the Earth on a warm sunny day to sunbathe.

There has been no sign of frog spawn so far.


Recordings made by Christine Wilcox

Nature Fact

If you want to see foxes, you will need to watch the Earth from a safe distance. The best time is at dusk when they are more likely to emerge. Remember to sit downwind and to remain silent as fox's senses of hearing and smell are acute

Site Management

The February Guardian Work Party assisted the Rangers in cutting down Gorse bushes to ground level. This will encourage new growth to shoot from the base stem and develop into healthy young bushes. The clearance and tidying within the Hazel Wood area continues and is an ongoing project.

Nature Watch

The past month saw mixed weather of wind, rain, mist, frost and warm sunshine. Improving weather conditions during the latter part of the period increased the chances of wildlife sightings.

The following have been observed on monitoring visits:-

Birds.... Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Meadow Pipits and a female Reed Bunting.

Mammals... A pair of Roe deer and several female Roe deer.

Plants... Celandine and Hazel Catkins.

Fungi... Yellow Brain, Jelly and Blueing Bracket.

There were early sightings of Brimstone, Peacock butterflies and Bees on the boundaries adjoining gardens.

First sightings of Frog and Toad spawn in the stream and pools are awaited.

Comments: Christine Wilcox
Photographs: Christine and Keith Wilcox

Nature Fact

The Roe Deer male(Buck) have short antlers up to 30 centimetres long. The antlers drop off at the end of the year and grow back again in February. In this respect they are different from other species of deer who lose their antlers in Spring and grow them again in Summer. When the Roe deer's antlers first grow, they are soft and tender and covered with a thin velvety skin. This thin skin is rubbed off against the trunks of trees. Look out for markings on the bark approx 1 metre from the ground

Site Management

Cutting down Rhododendron and Laurel. Clearance of growth along the Wet Wood stream bank. Installation of Tree Creeper nesting box

Nature Watch

Ongoing poor weather conditions during the past month has contributed to the lack of wildlife sightings. The very recent rainfall has waterlogged a number of paths and filled the peat ponds to overflowing. Most of the inhabitants of Slop Bog are presently in hibernation or sheltering from the elements.

The following have been recorded on monitoring visits:-

Birds- Magpies, Jays, Seagulls, Nuthatch, Great Tits, Blue tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Song Thrush and Snipe.

Fungi- Common Puffball and Polypore

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photographs courtesy of Christine Wilcox

Nature Fact

There are more than 450 families of fungi worldwide containing 6000 genera and an estimated 1,600,000 species. All habitats support fungi of various types eg woodland, dunes, heathland, meadows, grassland, parks, gardens, marshes, bog, burnt ground and even the dung of herbivores.

Site Management

A gathering of Slop Bog Guardian volunteers attended a work party on 27th December. The brush from recently felled trees was collected and burnt.

The 33 bird nesting boxes were cleared of last years nesting material by the monitors. The survey showed that 25 of the boxes had been occupied for breeding.

2007 Review

Weather was erratic throughout the year. Early hot spell in Spring followed by periods of cold, wet and windy weather.

Heathland Birds: Resident all through the year. Stonechats and Dartford Warblers were successful in breeding. Summer visitors included Nightjars and Tree Pipits.

Butterflies, Dragonflies and Amphibians: Smaller numbers and fewer sightings recorded.

Encouragingly, Smooth Snakes and Doormice confirmed on site.

Events
~~~~~~
15 June Nature of the Night:- A most enjoyable evening using bat detectors and moth traps. Identified sound of Nightjar on the heath.

24 June Open Day:- Well attended despite poor weather on the day

29 July Nature Walk:- A bright sunny morning. Identified 13 bird species, 7 Butterflies, 8 Insects, 2 Reptiles and 35 Wild Flowers.

22 August:- A warm pleasant evening for an enjoyable hour of story telling for both young and old.

28 October Fungi Walk:- Well attended on a damp morning. 55 species identified and recorded.

Award
~~~~~
In the Spring, a Community Award was presented to George Dunkling in recognition of of his life long contribution to environmental and conservation work. George contributes greatly to Slop Bog Guardians by sharing his comprehensive knowledge, identifying flora and fauna as well as leading nature walks.

Site Management
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notice Boards erected at all entrances. Interpretation Boards installed. Nature Trail posts positioned awaiting fixing of information plaques. Sponsorship obtained for 3 new Bat boxes and a new Treecreeper nesting box.

Thanks go to all volunteers who helped to monitor and record wild life and assisted in the work parties during the year.