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.