Nature Notes November

November was mild with only a few cooler days and nights towards the end of the month. A quiet month on site, with not much movement.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Collared Doves, Stonechat, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal/Blue/Great/ Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Red Admiral.
Fungi:  An increase in the number of species seen during this month due to the mild, damp conditions.
Plants in Flower:   Common Gorse.

Nature Fact

Now that the daylight hours are much shorter in length, most feeding activity for wildlife takes place during the morning. Once the animal has sufficient food intake, it restricts its movements to conserve energy and heat retention for the night ahead, which might possible be very cold.

Nature Notes October

October was a mild month with heavy rainfall at times, strong winds and several thunderstorms.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Kingfisher, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stonechats, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Fox, Grey Squirrels, Moles.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Peacock, Red Admiral.
Insects:   Bees, Wasps, Crane Flies.

No readings of Bat movement  recorded during this month.
Despite mild damp weather conditions, very few fungi have appeared on site.
Many berries formed and showed colour on various trees, shrubs and plants.
Birds took to roosting in the nest boxes on site.

Nature Fact

The Shaggy Ink-cap is also known as Lawyer’s Wig.   Readily recognized by the shaggy, narrowly conical cap which soon blackens from below and deliquesces into an inky fluid.   It is a good edible species when young, while the gills remain white, but must be eaten very soon after gathering.

Nature Notes September

September was recorded as one of the driest on record with very little rainfall.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Carrion  Crows, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Stonechats, Willow Warbler, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Wren, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Plants in flower:   Ling Heather, Bell Heather, Low growing Gorse.
Insects:   Common Green Grasshopper, Wasp Spider, Ants, Crane Flies, Bees, Wasps.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Water Boatman.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Meadow Brown.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Wood Mice.

The majority of migrating birds have now left the site.
Pipistrelle Bats are still feeding on warm dry nights.

Nature Fact

Pipistrelle Bats are creatures of habit and tend to follow the same routes each night but will quickly change to a new hunting area if food becomes scarce.  When the bat’s stomach is full, it comes to rest on a tree and stays there until digestion has  progressed sufficiently to allow further feeding.

Nature Notes August

The weather during August was mainly mild and dry with sunshine.  However, the latter part of the month turned cooler with long periods of heavy rain.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crow, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves, Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Stonechat.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Fox.
Reptiles:   Common Lizard, Grass Snake, Slow Worm.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Four Spot Chaser, Broad Bodied, Common Darter, Small Red, Red Veined Darter
Plants in flower:   Herb Robert, Common Vetch, White Clover, Low growing Gorse Lousewort.
Insects:   Green Grasshopper, Bog Cricket, Green Shield Bug, Robber Fly.
Pond Life:   Pond skaters, Water Boatman.
Butterflies/Moths:   Peacock, Red Admiral, Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Large Skipper, Silver-studded Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Species of day flying Moths.

As the end of the month approached, several species of migrant birds were seen passing through on site.  Tree Pipits, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers all depart August/September.
Blackberries, Rowan/Holly/Bird Cherry  berries were observed being consumed mainly by Blackbirds.
Many Blackbirds were observed sunbathing, with wings outspread.

Nature Fact

Blackberries:   The main consumers of bramble berries are Marsh and Willow Tits, Bullfinches, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes.  Among mammals, Foxes, Badgers and even Squirrels and Deer are fond of bramble berries.  The berries are sought for their energy-rich pulp, while the seeds within pass undigested through the gut and are conveniently deposited in a ‘ready-grow’ package of manure.

Nature Notes July

July delivered dry, hot sunny days, with the occasional thunder storm toward the end of the month.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Magpies, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Tawny Owl, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mouse, Fox, Roe Deer.
Reptiles:   Common Lizard, Grass Snake, Adder, Slow Worm.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Small White, Holly Blue, Peacock, Brimstone, Silver-studded Blue, Comma, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Grayling, Ringlet.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:    Four Spot Chaser, Broad Bodied, Small Red
Insects:   Common Green Grasshopper, Bees, Wasps, Flies, Ants, Wasp Spider.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Smooth Newt.
Plants in flower:   Low growing Gorse, Cut-leaved Geranium, Heather/Ling - Cross leaved and Bell.

A Tawny Owl was heard along the Hazel Drive fenceline.

Nature Fact

The Common Green Grasshopper can be found in a variety of grassland habitats over most altitudes.  They can be a variety of colours, but their background is mostly brown. The females are more variable and may show splashes of red or purple in their colourations.  They lay their eggs in the Autumn, these then hatch in Spring and the young hoppers grow through a series of instars until they reach full maturity in early summer.

Nature Notes June

A dry, warm and sunny month - reported as the hottest and driest June of recent years.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Dove, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Swallows.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Roe Deer, Fox.
Reptiles/Amphibians:  Common Lizards, Slow Worm, Grass Snake.
Plants in flower:  Cranesbill, Foxglove, Cotton Grass, White Stonecrop, Cinquefoil, Tufted Vetch, Groundsel, Prickly Lettuce, Bog Asphodel.
Butterflies/Moths:  Large White, Holly Blue, Peacock, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Silver-Studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue,
Insects:  Jumping Spider, Bees, Velvet Ants.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Sticklebacks, Frog
Dragonfly/Damselfly:  Four Spot Chaser, Azure, Large Red, Small Red, Beautiful Damoiselle.

Nature Fact

Beetles can be found in almost all habitats, from deserts and ponds to the tops of mountains.  They are thought to represent one third of all insects.  There are believed to be well over 350,000  species of beetle worldwide.  Beetles play an important role in the natural world as they recycle nutrients by helping to break down animal and plant waste.  Most species are herbivorous.

Nature Notes May

The showery April weather continued through May. Temperatures were mild and there was the occasional bright sunny day.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Dove, Magpies, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinch, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats.
Reptiles:  Common Lizards.
Plants in flower:  Cranesbill, Bluebells, Primrose, Ilex, Gorse, Broom, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Foxglove, Cotton Grass.
Butterflies:  Brimstone, Large White, Holly Blue, Peacock.
Insects:  Bees, Wasps, Flies.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Sticklebacks.

Pipistrelle Bats continued to be seen on warm dry evenings.
Many species of birds had their first fledglings of the year during this month.
The call of the Chiffchaffs and the melodious song of the Blackcaps were heard throughout the month.
Although evening monitoring was undertaken, no Nightjar calling was reported.

Nature Facts

Male Sticklebacks are aggressively territorial and build nests to which they attract females for egg laying.

Water Boatman should not be handled if caught for observation as they can bite. Their usual prey include tiny fish and tadpoles.

Nature Notes April

Heavy rain continued throughout the month with only a few warm dry days.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Stock Doves, Jays, Buzzards, Heron, Mallard mDucks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Cuckoo, Nuthatchs, Treecreepers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Siskins, Reed Buntings, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Wrens, Goldcrests, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches,.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer, Foxes, Pipistrelle Bats.
Reptiles:  Slow Worms, Common Lizards, Grass Snake
Plants in flower:  Gorse, Flowering Currant, Broom, Laurel, Bog Myrtle, Primrose, Hazel, Willow.
Butterflies:  Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Large White, Small White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood.
Insects:  Bees, Wasps, Flies.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Sticklebacks, Whirlygig Beetles.

Tree Pipits have returned from migration to the cenral heathland and heard calling from pine tree tops.
Pipistrelle Bats were detected at dusk by mid-April.
The call of a Cuckoo was heard late in the month from the north side of the Site.

Nature Fact

Why don’t we observe adult wood Pigeons feeding young out of the nest as other species do? (A question raised with Chris Packham by SBG monitor at a recent meeting).
Answer:- Breeding Wood Pigeons feed their young with a liquid slush produced and stored in their crop. The young are never fatter than when in the nest being fed on this rich source of food. When the time is right, the parents abandon the young in the nest leaving them to fend for themselves and is the reason they are seen experimenting, pecking at various items in the hope they may be palatable.

Nature Notes March

Mild weather conditions throughout the month encouraged the appearance of many species of insects, butterflies and nest building birds.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Wood Pigeons, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers,   Stock Doves, Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, Siskins, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Dunnocks, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Blackcap, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower:  Primrose, Gorse, Laurel, Flowering Currant, Willow, Bog Myrtle.
Insects:  Bees, Species of Flies.
Butterflies:  Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White.
Water/Pond Life:  Stickleback, Water Boatman.
Reptiles/Amphibians:  Common Lizards.

Groups of Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks have been seen in flight formation over the site.
A Treecreeper has been constructing a nest in the donated crete Treecreeper nest box - the first time since installation.  In previous years, Blue Tits have taken up residence.
Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers have returned from migration and the Chiffchaff could be heard calling in several locations on site.

Nature Fact

Willow Catkins
 Many of us are familiar with the soft grey silky catkins of pussy willow or the long hanging catkins known as ‘lamb’s tails’ that appear on Hazel trees.  A catkin is a structure consisting of many extremely small flowers in which petals and sepals are usually absent.  These structures are necessary to insect-pollinated flowers, since they help to attract insects, but are mostly wind-pollinated.

Nature Notes February

Heavy rain continued throughout February, causing waterlogged ground on site. Temperatures continued to be on the mild side.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Jackdaws, Jays, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Black-headed Gulls, Buzzards, Tawny Owl, Heron,
Canada Geese, Snipe, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskins, Redwings, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Dunnocks, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Fox, Wood Mice.
Plants in flower:   Gorse.
Insects:   Bees.
Butterflies:   Red Admiral, Brimstone.

A pair of Canada Geese were seen in flight over the site, on several occasions.
A Tawny Owl was heard calling at dusk on the west side of the Reserve.
A Snipe took flight north of the board walk.
Pairing of birds is well underway already, probably due to the mild weather.

Nest boxes were cleared in January, delayed from November, due to the bad weather.  The survey showed 21 had been occupied, 11 not used, 3 boxes missing.

Nature Fact

The Black-headed Gull, often seen in flight over the Reserve, often causes confusion due to the variety of changing plumage.  In Summer, the black head is in reality chocolate brown forming a hood stretching down the nape and broken only by a white ring round the eye. The beak, legs and feet are a deep blood-red.  In Winter, the brown hood is lost and replaced by white plumage with a small grey-brown smudge behind the eye, with the beak and legs showing as a muddier red colour.  

Nature Notes January

The weather continued to be wet and windy, with the occasional dry period. Nationally, rainfall was twice the normal January average resulting in extensive waterlogging on the Reserve.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Jackdaws, Jays, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Black-headed Gulls, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskins, Redwings, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Wrens, Goldcrests, Dunnocks, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches.
Mammals:   Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in flower:   Gorse.
Insects:   Bees.

A flock of Redwings were seen in the woodland at Kingfisher Creek.

Nature Fact

Deciduous woodlands consist of four main layers of vegetation, each providing living space for different mammal species.  Some, such as Pymy Shrews, spend their entire lives at one level; others, such as Squirrels and Woodmice, move between layers.  Competition for space is not as great as it is in the less complex habitats of fields or moorland and many more species are accommodated into the woodland environment eg Fox, Badger, Wood Mice, Dormouse, Squirrel, Mole, Shrew and Deer.

Nature Notes December

The weather during December, although mild, was mostly very wet with gale force winds. This caused waterlogged areas on site.  A very quiet period for monitoring, with not much wild life showing.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in flower:   Gorse.
Butterflies:   Brimstone, Peacock.

Nature Fact

Although you normally see a fox by itself, it lives in a family group.  There is usually a dog fox (male), the vixen (female) and her cubs, or babies.  They live in a den when they are breeding.  This may be in a crack in a rock or under tree roots.  Sometimes the vixen digs her own den, or she may live in old burrow made by another animal.