Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Nature Watch
The weather has been very mixed since the last report. The sound of bird song has filled the air along the path bordering Hazelwood eg Song Thrush, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Many of the nesting boxes are occupied with the majority of birds at the egg sitting stage but a few early starters are feeding young. The Blue Tit observed roosting in the camera box chose not to nest in that location.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood- Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wrens, Siskins, Buzzard, Heron, Pipistrelle Bats, Holly Blue/Speckled Wood/Small Tortoiseshell/Orange Tip/ Peacock/ Small & Large White butterflies.
Wet Wood- Jays, Song Thrush, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps.
Nightjar Twirl- Male and female Roe Deer, Chiffchaffs, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Speckled Wood butterflies, Bog beacon in stream east of the bridge.
Beaufoys Bog- Pair of Stonechats, Kestrel, Cotton Grass, Lousewort.
Western Enclosure- Pair of Tree Pipits, Pair of Stonechats, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lousewort in flower.
Beaufoys Plantation- Pair of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrests, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker.
Boardwalk area- Common Lizards, Adder, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms.
Dragonfly Drop- Chiffchaffs, Buzzards.
Eastern Enclosure- Female Tree Pipit.
A pair of Grey Lagged Geese were observed flying over the site.
George and Mark Dunkling have again begun a Summer of observing, photographing and compiling a list of spiders and insects resident on site. It is important to record and log this information as it assists in the understanding of the food chain within the Slop Bog habitat.
Recording by Christine Wilcox and George Dunkling
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood- Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wrens, Siskins, Buzzard, Heron, Pipistrelle Bats, Holly Blue/Speckled Wood/Small Tortoiseshell/Orange Tip/ Peacock/ Small & Large White butterflies.
Wet Wood- Jays, Song Thrush, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps.
Nightjar Twirl- Male and female Roe Deer, Chiffchaffs, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Speckled Wood butterflies, Bog beacon in stream east of the bridge.
Beaufoys Bog- Pair of Stonechats, Kestrel, Cotton Grass, Lousewort.
Western Enclosure- Pair of Tree Pipits, Pair of Stonechats, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lousewort in flower.
Beaufoys Plantation- Pair of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrests, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker.
Boardwalk area- Common Lizards, Adder, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms.
Dragonfly Drop- Chiffchaffs, Buzzards.
Eastern Enclosure- Female Tree Pipit.
A pair of Grey Lagged Geese were observed flying over the site.
George and Mark Dunkling have again begun a Summer of observing, photographing and compiling a list of spiders and insects resident on site. It is important to record and log this information as it assists in the understanding of the food chain within the Slop Bog habitat.
Recording by Christine Wilcox and George Dunkling
Nature Fact
In Spring male Roe Deer, having grown their antlers, rub off the soft velvet covering against tree trunks which exposes the hard core. The picture below shows this has happened with one antler, the other remaining in velvet.
Site Management
Repairs to damaged fencing has been undertaken. Eight cattle are now on site. "Dogs on leads" signs have been installed at the gate entrances to the fenced enclosure and will remain for the duration of cattle grazing and the ground nesting bird season. Part of the permissive path through the centre of the heathland suffered erosion during the winter and is now closed to allow a period of recovery.
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