Nature Watch November

Another quiet period for sightings on the Reserve.
Weather: Cold with night frosts, cold winds and snow flurries.

Sightings
Plants: Gorse.
Birds: Buzzard, Magpie, Crows, Wood Pigeons, Jays, Herring/Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Pied Wagtails, Siskin, Redwing.
A Heron has been seen regularly, flying along the south boundary.
Goldcrests have been sighted after a spell of absence.
A flock of Redwings, roosting in trees in Redwood Drive, have visited the site.
Mammals: Wood mice have been seen during the daytime searching for food as the wintry weather closed in.

The nest box survey was completed in November and last summers nesting material cleared out. Of the 37 boxes on site, 21 had evidence of having been used.

Nature Facts

During November most Frogs begin hibernation. Some young animals may still have been hunting for food. Bats begin hibernation although there could have been some activity on warmer nights. Male Squirrels start to become reproductively active. Young adult Foxes take over the territories of dead or weak parents, or dig out their own earths.

Nature Watch October

Weather: A cold snap in the middle of October but the rest of the month was mainly mild with rain showers.

Sightings
Plants in flower: Gorse is now showing a few flowers.
Birds: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Crows, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Dartford Warbler, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.

There were fewer finds of fresh Fungi after mid-October, probably due to the cold period mid-month. The majority of the previous months Fungi is deteriorating because of the drop in temperature.
Many birds are now holding their own winter feeding territories, showing aggression to any other birds.
Good news on the sighting of a Dartford Warbler in the Eastern Enclosure as this specie has been absent for two Summers.
The Bat detector failed to record any movement during October.

During November, watch out for winter migrant birds such as Fieldfares, Redwing, Brambling and Siskin coming onto the Reserve to feed and shelter.

Nature Facts

During the month, Fox families started to break up and spread out into new territories. Frogs began to hibernate as the weather became cooler. Bats searched for suitable hibernation sites. Summer bred squirrels dispersed.

Work Parties

Meet new people, learn new skills. Help conserve Slop Bog Nature Reserve and see parts of it you've never seen before! Volunteer work parties run from 10am to 1pm on the last Thursday every month and on the following additional dates:- Sunday 31st October 2010 and Sunday 28th November 2010.

Please wear old clothes - cinders from bonfires can melt synthetic fibres. We often work on wet, uneven terrain so appropriate footwear is recommended. Tools and gloves are provided.

There is no on site parking so please have consideration for our neighbours.

To find out more, including meeting points and task specific details, contact Will Holland on 01425 483809

Nature Watch September

Mixed weather conditions experienced with heavy rain at the end of the month.

From September to the middle of November is the best time to search for fungi particularly following heavy rain. Already this year over fifty species have been found on site of which the following were recorded during September:-

Cap Boletus, Bay Boletus badius, Red Cracking Bolete Boletus chrysenteron, Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare, Spectacular Rustgill, Brown Rollcap, False Deathcap, The Blusher Amanita Rebecens, Fly Agaric, Lilac Bonnet, Bovine Bolete Suillus Bovinus, Ugly Milkcap Lactarius turpis, Milk White Brittlegill Russula dilica, Panthercap Amanita, Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis decora, The Deceiver Laccaria laccata, Amethyst Laccaria amethystine, Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea, Poisonpie Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Primrose Brittlegill Russula sardonia, Conifer Mazegill Cloeophyllum sepiarlum, Hedgehog Fungus Hydnum repandum, Veiled Fibrecap inocybe nappies, Russet Toughshank Collybia dryophila, St George’s Mushroom Tricholoma gambosum, Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, Brittlegill Russula Lactarus, Collared Earthstar Geastrum triples, False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Lactarius quieticolor, Purple Brittlegill Russula atropurpurea.

The only additional birds to last month’s listing has been a flock of Canada Geese flying in formation North to South over the Reserve. Willow Warblers continue to be sighted on migration. A Blackcap was spotted in Hazelwood and it is possible it will remain in the area for the Winter period, as last year.

Only a small number of Common Lizards have been seen on the boardwalk.

No Bat recordings beyond mid-month.

Butterfly sightings: Large White, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady.

Nature Watch

July was very warm and dry but a change took place in August becoming warm, windy and wet.

SIGHTINGS

Plants in flower: Heather/Ling, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Black Nightshade, Dwarf Gorse.

Butterflies/Moths: Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Whites, Green veined White, Gatekeepers, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Comma, Large Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Brimstone, Peacock, Silver-studded Blue, Grayling, Fox Moth.

Insects: Field Grasshoppers, Meadow Grasshoppers, Velvet Ant, Bees.

Dragonfly/Damselfly: Common Darters, Black Darter, Keeled Skimmers, Small Red Damselflies.

Birds: Robins, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Dunnocks, Wrens, Chaffinches, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskins, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Magpies, Black Headed Gulls, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Stonechats, Willow Warblers.

Fungi: Egghead Mottlegill Paneolus Semiovatus, Snowy Inkcap Coprinus Niveus.

Several species of birds have been moving across the Reserve on the start of their migration including Willow Warblers and Swifts. One bird, the smallest in Britain, which has not been reported during this Summer is the Goldcrest. It is thought that many did not survive the very cold spell earlier this year. A roe deer fawn has been seen early in the morning on the East side of the Reserve. A healthy number of Silver-studded Blues were recorded on the weekly butterfly transects but numbers of other butterfly species, dragonflies and damselflies are down. The first of the Autumn fungi is now appearing taking advantage of the warm, wet conditions.

Recordings by C Wilcox, G Dunkling, A Bryant, R Chapman, D Lock

Nature Fact

Young Pipistrelle bats start catching insects in August. The females leave the nursery to find males for mating.

Nature Watch

May ended with with cool, wet weather but June was warm and sunny - good news for emerging insects and birds dependant on them to feed their young.

SIGHTINGS

Plants in flower: Hairy Tare, Smooth Tare, Common Vetch, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cut-leaved Geranium, Meadow Buttercup, Beaked Hawk's Beard, Foxglove. Common Helloborine has been in flower for several weeks.

Reptiles/Amphibians: Slow Worms, Common Lizards, Grass Snake, young Frogs. Adders have emerged with the warmer weather, usually seen in the early morning sunshine.

Butterflies: Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Small and Large Whites, Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admirals, Common Blue. Large numbers of Silver Studded Blues emerged in late June/July.

Insects: Horse Fly, Leafhopper Cicadellidae, Ichneumon Fly(Lissonota setose).

Dragonflies/Damselflies: Four Spot Chasers, Broad Bodied Chasers, Large Red, Azure.

Mammals: Roe Deer, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mouse.

Birds: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Robin, Blackbirds, Sing Thrush, Dunnocks, Jays, Jackdaws, Crows, Black Headed Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Siskins, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Heron. A pair of Canada Geese have been recorded flying over the Reserve on several occasions. A flock of Swift on the wing are feeding on the plentiful supply of insects. The sound of a Nightjar has been heard at dusk throughout June and July.

A very large bird flew up from the ground in the Hazelwood West area. This was probably a Buzzard as they do look large when viewed in close proximity. Sightings of a Buzzard have been recorded in the past flying about a metre above the ground, following the route of the path, for quite some distance.

NATURE FACTS

Adders or Vipers are our only venomous snake and will usually seek cover in the nearest vegetation when vibrations of walking feet approach.

Nature Watch

The past 4/5 weeks have seen very mixed weather conditions. Two weeks of fine, warm weather turned to overcast days with cold winds, scattered showers and night frosts.

SIGHTINGS: Brimstone/Peacock/Speckled Wood butterflies, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jackdaws, Common Snipe, Buzzards, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Chaffinches, Green/Goldfinches, Siskin, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long Tailed Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Tree Pipits, Grey Heron, Canada Geese in flight, Whirlygig Beetle, Green Tiger Beetle, Water Boatman, Pond Skater, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Wool Spider, Ant Beetle, Mirid Bugs, Pine Cone Bug, Crab Spider, Wolf Spider, Bark Beetles, Leaf-hoppers, Gorse Shield bugs, Grey Squirrels, Common Lizards, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms. Plants in flower include Cornsalad, Ground Ivy, Common Field Speedwell, Hair Bittercress, Lesser Celandine, Gorse.

Nature Fact

Wolf Spiders are common on dry sunny ground where they jump on their prey. The female attaches her bundle of eggs to her spinneretes and carries it with her

Nature Watch

The end of March and early April provided cool and wet weather conditions. This changed in the second week of April to sunny days and cool nights. With the more favourable weather conditions, the creatures on site have been showing well and insects are more abundant.

SIGHTINGS : Pond Skaters, Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Brimstone/Peacock/Red Admiral Butterflies, Ladybirds, Raft Spider, Wolf Spider, Common Lizard, Frog Spawn, Common Frog, Palmate Newt, Buzzards, Jays, Crows, Heron, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Blackcap, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Stonechats, Common Snipe, Woodcock, Pipistrelle Bats, Slow Worm, Roe Deer. Plants in flower included Common Field Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Lesser Celandine, Primrose, Gorse.

Song Thrushes are very evident along Hazelwood, delivering their distinctive song. Very early fledgling Blackbirds have been spotted in Hazelwood. Chiffchaffs have returned from their Winter feeding grounds. Generally, paired birds are busy with nest building.

The onset of warmer weather in early April saw the first reading of Pipistrelle Bats being active at dusk.

Nature Fact

Water has a surface film providing two great advantages as a habitat for Pond Skaters; relative freedom from predators and a superabundance of food in the form of innumerable small aerial insects that fall on to the water and cannot get off again. The Pond Skater, with its short front pair of legs, seizes its prey and sucks out the body fluids of its victim using its sharp rostrum or beak.

Nature Watch

The weather during this period has been very mixed with persistent heavy rain followed by dry days with sunshine and cold frosty nights.

SIGHTINGS : Jackdaws, Crows, Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Heron, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackcaps, Bullfinch, Siskin, Brambling, Stonechats, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Goldcrests, Wrens, Dunnocks, House Sparrow, Blackbirds, Robins, Blue/Great/Coal/Long-tailed Tits, Roe Deer, Frog spawn.
A Heron has been seen collecting wet leaves and twigs for nest construction.
A large number of Snipe have been visiting the Reserve during this Winter period with 10 to 12 seen at any one time.
A pair of Bullfinch are resident in Hazelwood West hopefully to breed here in the Spring.
A pair of Blackcaps remained for the Winter in Hazelwood West, again, hopefully to breed in the Spring.
March will be the last chance to spot Redwing, Brambling, and the Winter resident Siskin before they depart for the North and Scandinavia.

Birds are now visiting the nest boxes on site to establish ownership for breeding. A Robin has already built a nest on the fence line of Hazelwood West and laid one egg in the second week of March. It is believed that birds will only lay as many eggs to produce chicks that they can provide food for. Obviously food is not plentiful enough at present to support a larger brood.

Nature Fact

The Bullfinch prefers a woodland habitat, especially coniferous forest. They rarely move more than a few miles from home territory. Adult Bullfinch with their short, stubby bill is ideally suited to eating buds of trees and shrubs although they feed their nestlings on large quantities of insects and spiders as well as seeds as the young grow. Many of these beautiful birds were trapped or shot to prevent damage to orchards in Southern England.

Nature Watch

The weather during this period has been cold and mostly dry with a few snow flurries and the occasional milder day. Much of the wildlife which frequents heath land and the perimeter woodland has spilt into surrounding areas with more birds visiting gardens.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Buzzards, Black headed Gulls, Heron, Redwings, Fieldfare, Pheasant, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Stonechats, Crows, Wood Pigeon, Siskin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Blue/Great/Coal/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds and a group of Mallard Ducks flying in formation over the site. A small number of house sparrows have been seen along the fence line of Hazelwood/Hazel Drive. On the open bog good numbers of Snipe are still feeding. Grazing by the cattle last year has opened up the tussocky grass providing excellent conditions for this secretive bird.

The Great Spotted Woodpeckers have paired and are often seen in each others company.

A trial of feeding the Stonechats with mealworms during the harsher weather conditions has proved sucessful. Suitable winter food continues to be supplied at the feeding stations for the woodland birds.

Blue Tits continue to night roost in the camera nest boxes.

One of the earliest ground nesting birds on open heath is the Woodlark which start singing from the tops of scattered pines in February. Recordings of this bird are rare at Slop Bog so please let the Ranger staff know if you are lucky enough to see or hear one (telephone 01425 483809; e-mail w.holland@dorset.gov.uk).

Nature Fact

Birds keep warm in cold weather by fluffing out their feathers. This traps an insulating layer of warm air. Some species huddle together forming roosts thereby creating a collective body temperature. During severe cold spells constant access to food is essential as an underweight bird is more likely to perish than a well fed one.

Site Management

Dorset Countryside staff and volunteers have been controlling scrub on the bog. Scrub in itself a valuable habitat for invertebrates and birds but left unchecked it spread rapidly and shades out light demanding species at ground level. An extra weekend work party in January went a long way in helping with 9 volunteers clearing willow and bramble scrub. Another part of wet heath in the Eastern enclosure has had birch growth reduced. This is an area Marsh Gentians flower in late Summer.

Events Sunday 24th January

"Conservation at work" 10am - 1pm
Help Dorset Countryside staff with practical conservation. No experience needed. Tools and gloves provided. We will be having a bonfire whilst clearing branches left from recent tree felling. Wear strong shoes and old clothes that embers from the fire won't spoil. Toasted tea cakes likely! Follow signs from West Moors Road and Redwood drive entrances.

"Winter trees and working woods" 2pm - 3pm. No need to book.
Adults £2.50 Children £1.50 (free for those "Conservation at work" helpers).
Spend an hour looking at some of our trees and shrubs in more detail. Learn to recognise some of our common species and find out how these trees have been used throughout history in construction, medicine, crafts and even the kitchen! Explore the folklore and mythology behind the "Lady of the Woods", the "Poisonberry" and the "Witches Aspirin". Meet at West Moors entrance.

Nature Watch

The weather for the past month saw heavy rain in the first two weeks deteriorating thereafter to a cold period with sleet and snow fall. Icy conditions remain on the Reserve with the dug out peat channels frozen.

Sightings/Observations

Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Crows, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Long/Blue/Great/Coal Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Wrens, Goldcrests, Siskins, Redwings, Fieldfares, Stonechats, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and a Heron in flight over the Reserve. Food is being provided for the birds on the feeding tables at Wet Wood to support them through this very difficult period of severe weather conditions.
Flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares are again frequenting the Hazelwood area into Wet Wood and have been sighted in the gardens of Hazel Drive.
Many tracks of Roe Deer and Foxes have been found in the snow with strong scent markings by foxes.
Blue Tits continue to night roost in two separate camera boxes on the Hazelwood/Hazel Drive fringe.

Nature Fact

Both Redwings and Fieldfares move to the South of England, usually from Scandinavia. Winter flocks roam widely with migrants wintering in different areas in different years. It has been found that the oldest ringed bird of both species have lived for over 18 years.