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.