Nature Notes September

The weather varied greatly ranging from cold, wet and blustery weeks to calm, warm and dry weeks, progressing in a mellow Autumn feel. 

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, White Dove, Buzzards Sparrowhawk, Black–headed Gulls, Black-backed Gulls, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robin, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatches, Swallows, Willow Warblers, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
A number of Willow Warblers were seen moving across the reserve via the Hazelwood corridor.
A group of Swallows were seen feeding north of the boardwalk.
Butterflies/Moths: Large White, Holly Blue, Red Admirals, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, various species of day flying Moths.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Wood Mice.
Insects: Pond Skaters, Bees, Ants.
Plants in flower: Blackberry, Low growing Gorse, Ling Heather, Bell Heather.

Pipistrelle Bats were still feeding on warmer nights during September.
The seed heads of the Purple Moor Grass were very evident.
Birds of the same specie were defending their newly established Winter territories, whilst Finches were forming into flocks.
The Jays, Magpies and Carrion Crows were noticeably more vocal.

Nature Fact

Most vertebrate animals possess a pair of hyoid bones supporting the base of the tongue. Green Woodpeckers have extended hyoids that curve up behind the head. Muscles pull on the hyoids, giving a powerful thrust to the very long tongue. This enables it to reach distances into holes in the ground and trees to reach its prey.