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
