Nature Notes

Leaving the cold spell of weather behind that January brought us, February enjoyed milder conditions with several sunny Spring like days. The light in the mornings and evenings are beginning to improve.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Magpies, Hooded Crows, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest.
Plants: Gorse in flower, Hazel Catkins showing.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Moles, Grey Squirrel.
Butterflies: Brimstone.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees.
A pair of Mallard Ducks were seen in flight over the Reserve. Definite signs of courtship by the birds, plus an increase in bird song. Birds showing an interest in the nest boxes on site during the day.
Brimstone Butterflies and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees were tempted into flight on warmer days.

Nature Facts

During February, Blackbirds and Song Thrush males begin singing to attract mates. Bats were still hibernating having a few fat reserves left. The vixen Fox ended the main travelling time and started to look for a breeding earth. Frogs started to move off to their breeding ponds. Grey Squirrel females refurbished or built new litter dreys. First litters may have been born in February.