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.