Nature Notes November

The weather during November was very mixed, generally mild, wet or dry days but with a few colder days and night frosts.  Not much movement on the Reserve.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinch, Robins, Wren, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Siskin, Nuthatches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in Flower:   Gorse.
Fungi:   A number of species.

A Bullfinch was sighted along the Hazelwood fence line.
Fungi remained on site while the milder weather continued.  As colder days and nights set in, the Fungi will die back.
Many Finch species are now seen in flocks.
Now that the nights have turned colder, birds are roosting overnight in nest boxes.

Nature Fact

Flocking -   Birds flock for a number of reasons of which the most important are finding food, avoiding attack by predators and migrating.  In every case the primary motivation comes from the individual, for whom the advantages of joining a group outweigh those of remaining solitary.

Nature Notes October

The weather was mild, wet and windy throughout the month, with winds reaching gale force at times. Very quiet on the Reserve due to the inclement weather conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatch, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Butterflies:   Large White, Peacock.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Mole, Fox, Wood Mice.
Insects:  Pond Skaters, Crane Flies.
Plants in Flower:   Low growing Gorse.

No more sightings of Bats during October.
Many species of Fungi appeared due to the mild wet conditions.
A Sparrowhawk has been observed seeking prey along the fenceline of Hazelwood.

Nature Fact

All habitats support Fungi of various kinds. In general, different kinds of Fungi occur in different habitats, each species being adapted to fill a particular niche. Woodland provide the richest habitat for larger Fungi; both deciduous and coniferous woods are ideal places to look for a wide rage of species. Many of the woodland toadstools form mycorrhizal associations and grow only with certain kinds of tree. Similarly, other Fungi are parasitic or saprophytic on the wood of certain kinds of tree.

Nature Notes September

The weather during September continued to be mild and dry, with just a few damp days. A definite Autumnal feel on the Reserve with leaves already turning colour and, in some cases, falling.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers,  Black-headed Gulls, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Robin. Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Swallows, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Fox.
Butterflies/Moths: Large White, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Red Admiral.
Insects/Pond Life: Pond Skaters.  Reptiles:  Common Lizard.
Plants in flower:  Low growing Gorse, Ling Heather, Bell Heather.

Blackberry bushes supplied a heavy crop of berries this September, food for small mammals and foxes. Rowan trees were heavily laden with berries, providing much needed food for resident and migrant birds before departure. The warm damp weather at the end of the month will promote the growth of fungi early next month. Summer visiting birds departed by the end of the month, with only a few Swallows being seen flying over the Reserve.

Nature Fact

Weather conditions can play a big part in the timing of the birds’ departure south on migration. While the birds may be physically ready to leave, they need to use the best weather conditions for migration so may stay put if the weather is bad. Swallows may stay on well into October.

Nature Notes August

The warm dry weather continued through the month.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Dunnocks, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff.
Butterflies/Moths:   Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Peacocks, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Silver-studded Blue, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Clouded Yellow, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, many species of Moths.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Southern Hawker, Broad Bodied, Four Spot.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Mole, Roe Deer, Wood Mice, Common Shrew, Foxes.
Reptiles:   Common Lizards.
Pond Life/Insects:   Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Sticklebacks, Species of Bees, Hover Flies, Ants.
Plants in flower:   Low growing Gorse, Ling/Bell Heather, Cut-leaved Geranium.

Species of Finch have been seen in flocks in the tree canopies. The warm dry weather has prompted sightings of Damselfly/Dragonfly. Many feathers were seen on the ground as birds were in moult. Foxes were heard barking during the hours of darkness.

Nature Fact

Many juvenile birds are now in the process of change in their appearance to become the same as the adult of their species. Young male Woodpeckers who have red caps on the top of their heads, are now developing this marking further down the neck to the nape. Young Goldfinches (both sexes have the same appearance) are now beginning to develop their red face plumage as summer draws to an end. Young Robins have lost their speckled plumage and are now showing a small rusty breast.

Nature Notes July

July was a warm sunny month on the whole with only a few days of rain.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Magpies, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jay, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Tree Pipit, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Moles, Wood Mice, Roe Deer.
Reptiles/Amphibians:   Grass Snake, Common Lizards.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Four Spot Chaser, Broad Bodied, Small Red.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large/Small Whites, Orange Tip, Peacocks, Holly Blue, Silver Studded Blue, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, various species of day flying Moth.
Pond Life/Insects:   Hover Flies, Pond Skaters, Common Field Grasshopper, Water Boatman, Bees, Ants.
Plants in flowers:  Low growing Gorse, Cut-leaved Geranium, Heather/Ling – Cross leaved and Bell.

Many birds are now moulting.

Nature Fact

During the day the Common Field Grasshopper needs to warm up in the sunshine, basking until it can become active. The male chirps during the months of June and November to attract a female. This sound is achieved by rubbing pegs on his hind legs against large veins on his forewing, a process called stridulating.

Nature Notes June

June was mostly cool and windy, with a few very warm days.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Buzzards, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Magpies, Tawny Owl, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nightjar, Siskins, Tree Pipits, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Nuthatch, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Roe Deer, Moles.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red,  Common Blue, Broad Bodied.
Pond Life/Insects:   Species of Bee, Species of Fly, Green Tiger Beetle, Water Boatman, Pond Skaters, Minnow, Raft Spider.
Moths/Butterflies:   Brimstone, Holly Blue, Large/Small Whites, Silver-studded Blue, Peacock, Small Skipper, Species of day flying Moths.
Reptiles/Amphibians:   Common Lizard, Slow Worm.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Cotton Grass, Ling, Bell Heather, Bog Asphodel.

A Nightjar was heard on the central heath at dusk on most evenings.
Tree Pipits were seen parachuting to ground from Pine treetops.
A small number of Silver-studded Blue Butterflies were seen in the last week of the month.

Nature Fact

The Green Tiger Beetle has elytra and thorax which may vary from light to dark green and the pattern also varies. This sun-loving beetle flies rapidly with a loud buzzing sound and is seen from May through to the end of August. It frequents sandy places, such as clear paths, where the larvae dig burrows and ambush ants and other crawling insects.

Nature Notes May

May delivered a mixture of weather, mostly cool, wet and windy, with a few days of warm sunshine in contrast.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Heron, Common/Black-headed Gulls, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nightjar, Tree Pipits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrests, Song Thrushes, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcaps, Siskins, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Dunnocks, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves.
Mammals:   Wood Mice, Roe Deer, Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Insects:   Bees, Pond Skaters,  Water Boatman.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Small White, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, several species of day flying Moth.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Common Broom, Cotton Grass, Willow Catkins.
Reptiles/Amphibians:   Adder, Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Common Lizard, Common Newts.

A Nightjar was heard on the open heath at the end of the month.
Many bird species have produced young.
Tree Pipits were seen and heard during the month.

Nature Fact

Like others of the Crow family, Magpies will often plunder eggs and nestlings of less aggressive neighbours.  Searching methodically for a suitable nest-worthy habitat, a single Magpie may find several nests in quick succession.  When a small bird sitting on a nest sees a Magpie, it may ‘freeze’ until the last possible moment, hoping to be missed.  Once the Magpie discovers it, however, the other bird must retreat hastily.  Magpies have even been seen catching small birds and fledglings in flight.

Nature Notes April

April commenced with cool temperatures, heavy overcast days, and occasional heavy rainfall. A few warmer days followed later in the month.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Buzzards, Heron, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Mallard Ducks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bramblings, Redpoll, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Plants in flower:   Gorse, Primroses, Celandine, Flowering Currant.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies:  Brimstone, Comma, Peacocks, Large White, Orange Tip.
Insects:  Bees.
Pond/Stream Life:  Minnows, Pond Skaters, Whirligig Beetles.

The warmer days prompted many butterflies to emerge along the Hazelwood boundary.

The Bramblings and Redpolls were not seen on site after the 16th April.

Many of the bird boxes on site are now occupied and the first eggs laid.

Nature Fact

The majority of birds produce one egg every 24 hours.  The eggs are laid at dawn each morning until a full clutch is produced.

Nature Notes March

A cold month with a mixture of heavy rain, wind and wintry flurries of snow. The last week in the month brought dry cold weather, with a few sunny days. Again, a quiet month on site due to the unseasonal weather conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Magpies, Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Heron, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Brambling, Stonechat, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Butterflies:   Brimstone.
Plants in flower:   Gorse.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Insects:   Buff-tailed Bees.

In the last week of the month, a male and female Blackcap were seen along the Hazelwood boundary having just returned from overwintering in warmer climes.
Several Brimstone butterflies were seen on brighter days, as were Buff-tailed Bees.
On the last day of the month a male Brambling was spotted, surprisingly still in the south of the country not yet having returned to breeding areas in the north or Iceland.
Pairing and mating of birds was very evident throughout the month.

Nature Facts

Most birds have only one mate, the advantage is that both parents help to rear the young.  Some birds, however, practice polygamy ie having more than one mate.  Male Wrens often do this, especially where food is plentiful and the hen can feed the young on her own.  There are two types of polygamy - simultaneous pairing with two or more females and successive polygamy, when the male initiates consecutive broods with different females.  Male Wrens do both.

Work Party Sunday 24th March

Time 10am to 3pm meet at the western, Redwood Drive, entrance or look for the Ranger's van/smoke.   

This will be the last Winter work party and so we will have a final clear up of any brash piles. We will also cut back gorse where it is interfering with fencelines that need inspecting and repairing before the cattle return in April/May.

Time and people allowing, we may also clear some of the vegetation along the back ditch/footpath and do any final clearance in the retention woodland to make access easier through the Summer.

Wear old clothes as there will be at least one bonfire. Refreshments available but bring lunch if staying all day.  

Nature Notes February 2013

The wet weather finally eased by mid-month followed by cold, dry days and nights with a few snow flurries.  A few milder bright days were a welcome change. There were no unusual sightings.

SIGHTINGS 

Birds:   Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests, Wren, Nuthatch, Siskins, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits. 

Mammals:   Grey Squirrel,  Fox. 

Plants in flower:   Gorse.

Birds were active in courtship with the dawn and dusk chorus very audible.

Woodpeckers could be heard drumming.

Bees were seen on brighter, slightly milder days.

Work on the bird nesting boxes, which were removed last year for repair or replacement, was completed.

Nature Fact

Buzzards, usually seen wheeling and soaring over the Reserve, gained an early reputation for laziness although patient waiting is part of their efficient hunting strategy. They are not agile and rely mainly on a silent approach to catch their varied prey.

Nature Notes January 2013

January was a mild month on the whole with spells of sunshine, wind and heavy rain.. However, the third week brought heavy snowfall before turning mild once more by the month end.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long tailed Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Wrens, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Dunnocks, Siskins, Goldcrests.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in Flower:   Gorse.

No unusual sightings were reported during January.

Many birds took to neighbouring gardens in search of food during the harsh snowy week.

Nature Fact

Mistle Thrushes are always more thinly distributed and seem to require much larger territories than that of the Song Thrush.  Large mature gardens and parklands are typical habitats for them.  In the breeding season you may find them in woodlands and even conifer plantations as long as there are grassy areas nearby for spring feeding.  They feed on worms and insects, often in the centre of fields, but fruit is an important part of the diet, particularly mistletoe berries, hence its name.

Nature Notes December

December, although mild for the time of year, brought strong winds and very heavy rainfall.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves, Heron, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens,Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Stonechat, Siskins.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower:  Gorse.

Due to the inclement weather, there was not a great deal to view. The only evident movement was that of the resident birds in the quest for daily food.
A welcome sighting of a Stonechat was seen north of the boardwalk. Recordings of Stonechats have been few and far between on site during the past year.

YEAR 2012
Nature sightings were down, a disappointing year.  Numbers of Silver Studded Blue butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Reptile species, Fungi, Mammals and wild flowers were all showing low numbers.
A total of 24 out of 38 mixed bird specie nesting boxes provided homes for nesting birds on site last Spring/Summer.

Nature Fact

A seasonal bird is, of course, the Robin. The bird's popularity in Britain has built up over the years and legends about the bad luck incurred by anyone harming a Robin go back to the 16^th century. Robins feature prominently on the earliest Christmas cards. It is a particular favourite among bird lovers, but despite all the efforts made to feed this bird in the harsh weather, thousands perish each year.