Work Party Tuesday 29th December 10m-1pm

We will be cutting and burning Gorse.  Bonfire guaranteed.  Xmas leftovers guaranteed.  Weather - who knows! 

All are invited, whether you want to get stuck into the Gorse or just have a chat and warm yourself by the fire. 

Meet by the Heathland information panel.  Phone Will Holland on 07827 820465 if you would like more info.

Merry Christmas!

Nature Notes

November was memorable for the mild, wet and windy weather. Due to these weather conditions there was little wildlife to observe.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Magpies, Black-headed Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Siskins, Nuthatches, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies/Moths:   Red Admiral, Brimstone.
Insects:   Sheet/Nursery Spiders, Web/Funnel Spiders.
Fungi:   Birch  Polypore, Sickener.

The Tawny Owls continued to be very vocal from dusk through to morning light.

WORK  PARTY

The October work party coppiced gorse and cleared pine saplings on the dry heath area north of the Redwood Drive entrance.  The next work party is scheduled for the 29th December. Details will be published on our blog page shortly before the due date. 

Nature Fact

During the winter months, blackbirds spend their nights in communal roosts.  Gathered together at the chosen sheltered site, it enables them to conserve heat most efficiently and safety from predators. These roosting birds are not just from the British population,  vast numbers come from Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland and Finland, for a milder winter.

Work Party Tuesday 24nd November

Meet at 10am at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will be clearing more scrub and vegetation where it is interfering with access and fencelines.  We may also coppice some of the Gorse on the dry heath area.

Tools and gloves are provided as well as refreshments.

If you need any further information please telephone Will Holland on 07827 820465.

Nature Notes

Birds:   Carrion Crows, Magpies, Black-headed Gulls, Jays, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Buzzards, Stonechats, Siskins, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Grey Wagtails, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Fox, Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Speckled Wood, Species of day flying Moths.
Insects:   Wasps, Sheet/Nursery Web/Funnel Web/Garden Spiders.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Fungi:   Birch Polypore, Deceiver, Sulphur Knight-cap, Sickener,

Readings of Pipistrelle Bats were still being taken on the last evening of the month.
A Kestrel was spotted mid-month, north of the boardwalk.

Nature Fact

The Slow Worm is a legless Lizard resembling a small, smoothly cylindrical, neckless snake.  It prefers damp shady places and hibernates during the coldest months of the year in warm places like compost heaps or under metal sheeting.

Work Party Tuesday 27th October

Next Tuesdays work party will be at the usual time of 10am - 1pm, meeting at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will burn the material cut last month and clear further vegetation to maintain access to fencelines (for repairs) and keep access routes clear.

Refreshments provided as usual.  Please wear old clothes that don’t melt easily!

Any queries - phone Will Holland on 07827 820465.

Nature Notes September

Heavy showers of rain dominated the first half of the month followed by dry, warm, sunny days, with cool nights.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Jays, Magpies, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Siskins, Stonechat, Swallows, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Willow Warbler, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Robins, Dunnocks, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:  Fox, Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer, evidence of Mole movement underground, Pipistrelle Bats.
Butterflies/Moths:  Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Large/Small Whites, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, species of day flying Moths.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Stickleback fish, Frog.
Insects:  Crane Flies, Wasps, Bees, Sheet Web Spiders. Nursery Web Spiders, Funnel Web Spiders, Garden Spiders.
Plants in flower:  Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Rowan/Holly Tree berries, Montbretia, Large White Water Lily.
Fungi:  Birch Polypore, Fly Agaric, the Blusher.

Late in the month, three separate Tawny Owls were seen and heard in the same area.
A Heron was seen in flight and later landed in the canopy of a Pine Tree.

Nature Fact

The voice of a Tawny Owl is a familiar hoot ‘hooo-hooo-hooo’ of the male that proclaims his territory and is used during courtship, September through to November, following on to nesting and producing young from as early as February.  The female also has a hoarse version of the hoot. Another commonly heard call is a sharp ‘kee-wick’ made by both male and female.  Occasionally calls can be heard during daylight.

Nature Notes August

August delivered weather similar to July, with periods of heavy rain, wind and occasional bright sunny days.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Wood/Feral Pigeons, Collared Doves, Nuthatches, Mistle/Song Thrushes, Robons, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Wrens, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Willow Warbler, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer.
Butterflies/Moths:   Peacock, Holly Blue, Large/Small White, Speckled Wood, Comma, Silver-studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet. Species of day flying Moths.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects:  Crane Flies, Species of Bees, Sheet Web/Wolf Spiders.
Reptiles:   Common Lizard.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied Chaser, Small Red.
Plants in Flower:   Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Common Sundew, Large White Pond Lilies, Rowan /Holly Trees in berry.
Fungi:   Birch Polypore, Common Yellow Russule.

Birds were seen feeding on natures bounty of seeds and berries.
A Sparrowhawk was frequently seen hunting for prey along the Hazel Drive boundary.
The wet warm weather encouraged Fungi to form towards the end of the month.

Nature Fact

Craneflies are members of the insect order of Diptera and are true flies with one pair of functional wings.  As in all Diptera, the hindwings are much reduced in size to form small knobbled projections, called halteres, which are sense organs that act like gyroscopes and enable the fly to keep its balance. Craneflies belong to a distinct family, the Tepulidae, and have long, thin, soft bodies, narrow wings and long spindly legs and are commonly known by the name ‘daddy long legs’.

Nature Notes July

July delivered a mixture of weather, with strong winds, heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning, cloud and sunshine.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Magpies, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Feral Pigeons, Collared Doves Heron, Chiff Chaff, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Siskins, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies/Moths:  Holly Blue, Brimstone, Small/Large White, Peacocks, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Silver-studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Large Skipper. Species of Day flying Moths.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Back Swimmers, Whirligig Beetles, Stickleback.
Insects:   Bees, Hoverflies, Wasps, Velvet Ant, Sheet web Spider, Grasshoppers, Mining Bees.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Southern Hawker, Broad Bodied Chaser,   Beautiful Demoiselle, Small Red.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm, Common Lizard.
Plants in flower:   Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Bog Asphodel, Common Sundews, Rowan Tree berries, Holly berries.

Flocks of Siskins and Finches, after the breeding season, were seen on site.
Two Tawny Owls were heard communicating at dusk.

Nature Fact

The Siskin is one of our smallest finches and like most other members of that family, the male is brightly coloured, whereas the female is dull with a flecked breast.  Most finches are primarily seed eaters and the Siskin is no exception, with its staple diet being conifer seeds.  They also feed on Silver Birch seeds and on gardens feeders offering sunflower hearts, niger seeds and peanuts.  During the breeding season, Siskins are much more secretive and hides away high up in conifer trees.  Birds that start the season early in prime condition are likely to rear more youngsters than birds in less than peak condition.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Slop Bog Guardians will be held on 5th August at Avon Country Park commencing 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.

Nature Notes

The weather in June was similar to that of May, very mixed.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Feral/Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Stonechats, Siskins, Mallard Ducks, Grey Wagtail, Heron, Black-headed Gulls.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Wood Mouse.
Butterflies/Moths:  Large White, Holly Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak. Species of day flying moths.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Back swimmers, Whirligig Beetles, Stickleback fish, White Water Lily.
Insects:   Hoverflies. Midges, Wasps, Bees, Funnel Spiders, Sheet Web Spiders.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Banded Agrion, Broad bodied Chaser.
Reptiles:   Common Lizards, Female Adder.
Plants in flower:   Cut-leaved Geranium, Foxgloves, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Dandelions, Cotton Grass, Bog Asphodel, Common Sundews.

During the last week of June, the colony of Silver-studded Blue butterflies were showing in large numbers. Resident Bullfinches were seen with this years young.

Nature Fact

Undergrowth habits:  Heather might look monotonous at first, covering the ground as far as the eye can see, but among the individual plants, each in its particular stage of growth, there are a variety of different types of micro-habitat.  The small, young plants flowering prolifically in an open community, allow Lizards to bask on the warm, dry surface of the ground and Grasshoppers to find places to lay their eggs in the soil.  Here too, Solitary Bees and Wasps can excavate their nesting chambers.  The Wasps furnish the chambers with insect larvae as fresh food for their own larvae, while the Bees lay in a store of honey and pollen.

Work Party Tuesday 9th June at 10am

We will be continuing with the fence repairs pending arrival of the cattle on site. Work will be undertaken in wet areas of the Reserve so the wearing of wellingtons is recommended. It is advisable to bring insect repellent with you. Drinks will be provided.

Meet at the Redwood Drive entrance.

Nature Notes May

The weather during May was very mixed, with periods of both dry, sunny and warm temperatures, contrasting with cool, showery with strong winds.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Feral/Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Chiff Chaffs, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Pied Wagtail, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Stonechats.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Roe Deer, Fox, Grey Squirrrels.
Butterflies/Moths:   Species of day flying Moths, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Small/Large Whites, Red Admiral, Peacock.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Stickleback fish, Common Newts, Whirligig Beetles.
Insects:   Bee Species, Wasps, Sheet Web Spider, Hoverflies, Black Ants.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red.
Reptiles:   Adder, Common Lizards, Slow Worms.
Plants in flower:   Gorse, Cut leaved Geranium, Catkins.

May continued to be a busy month on site for the many resident birds with the building of nests, producing eggs, feeding of the young and in some cases, fledging.
Monitoring for the arrival of Tree Pipits and Nightjars continued throughout the month, but no positive sight or sound can be confirmed up to the last week of the month.

Nature Fact

The colour of the Adder is particularly interesting because differences between male and female are rare in snakes.  Adult female Adders are usually brownish or reddish with dark markings, whereas males are normally a contrasting black and pale grey, with obvious black zig-zag pattern.  Some Adders are darker in colour or totally black (melanic), with no visible pattern or marking.

Work Party Tuesday 5th May

We will be continuing with the fence repairs started in April. Any queries should be directed to Will Holland on 07827820465.

Nature Notes April

The beginning of April delivered fine warm weather, but the climate turned showery and cold towards the latter part of the month.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Heron, Wood pigeons, Stonechats, Siskins, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting,  Chiff Chaffs, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Blackcaps.
Canada Geese/Swallows/Sand Martins in flight over the site.
Red Kites seen circling beyond the Western perimeter of the Reserve
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Roe Deer, Fox, Mole activity found.
Butterflies:  Holly Blue, Small/Large White, Brimstones, Peacocks, Red Admiral, Orange Tip.
Moths:  Species of day flying moths
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Sticklebacks, Tadpoles, Palmate Newts, Whirligig Beetles.
Insects:   Several species of Bees, Hoverfly, Ladybirds, Wasps, Hornet.                    
Reptiles:   Adder, Slow Worm.
Plants in Flower:   Gorse, Primrose, English Bluebells.

The first Bats were detected mid-month.
Chiff Chaff and Blackcaps were heard in many locations on site, the latter having arrived during the last week of the month.
Early nesters were seen busy searching for food to feed early hatching broods, mostly Robins and Blackbirds.
Many Whirligig Beetles seen from the East Bridge where it crosses Kingfisher Creek.

Nature Fact

Whirligig Beetle:-  Groups of these small black beetles swim rapidly in circles on the surface of still water at a speed of 40 inches per second.  They are scavengers, eating other insects that fall into the water.

Forthcoming Work Parties

Work Parties dates for the next 3 months are as follows:-

21 April
5 May
9 June

All are welcome to attend, first timers particularly so, and details will be published on this blog page nearer the time

Nature Notes March

A reasonably dry mild month with only a few showery periods.  Signs of the arrival of Spring were evident.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Heron, Kingfisher, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Wrens, Goldcrest, Siskins, Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Grey Wagtail.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Primroses.
Butterflies:   Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Tadpoles, Sticklebacks.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Signs of Moles creating mole hills, Roe Deer, Fox.
Insects:   Species of Bees.

Bird species were actively nest building and mating at the end of the month.
Both Chiff Chaffs and Willow Warblers arrived on site during the last week in the month.
A Kingfisher was observed fishing for Sticklebacks in the drainage ditch adjacent to the path and Hazel Drive.
A Heron was sighted perched on top of a Pine tree.
Tadpoles were found in the pools at the north west side of the site.
Badger tracks were seen along the western border.

Nature Fact

The small three-spined Stickleback is one of the most common fish found in ponds and streams in Britain. In March, it claims a territory in open water, defending if against other males, until the end of June. He excavates a pit and builds a nest tunnel for the female to spawn in. After fertilising the eggs, he drives her away, becoming a single parent, who provides shelter and protection for the broods it fathers.

Nature Notes

February delivered one fall of snow in the first week, followed by wet weather on the whole but with a few bright dry sunny days.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:-   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Sparrowhawk, Heron, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Coldcrests, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Female Stonechat, Siskins.
Mammals:-   Grey Squirrels, active Moles, Fox.
Plants in flower:-   Common Gorse.
Insects:-   Several species of Bees.

It was noticed that birds were seen in pairs.
Moles were very active, pushing up hills above their tunnel runs.
During the Winter months, the bird box survey was carried out on the Nature Reserve. Twenty four boxes were occupied last Spring.

Nature Fact

Winter life in the cold Season - The short Winter days give birds little time in which to meet their food requirements.  It then becomes vital to conserve as much energy as possible during the long cold over-night vigil.  Small birds are especially vulnerable to heat loss at night and some, such as Wrens and long-tailed Tits, huddle together in groups to share body warmth in a snug recess, such as a tree hole or old nest.

Work Party Tuesday 10th Feb

Meet at the West Moors Road entrance for 10am.  The noticeboard here has had to be repaired and needs resiting.  Depending on numbers, we may split, leaving a group to continue the installation  whilst the remainder carries out scrub clearance further out on the heath.  As always, refreshments available.  Please contact Will Holland on 07827 820465 if you have any queries.

Nature Notes January

January was a cold month on the whole bringing heavy rain, sleet and frosts.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Nuthatches, Wrens, Goldcrest, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Grey Wagtail.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Plants in Flower:   Common Gorse.

Nature Fact

Winter, life in the cold season  -  Most insects lie dormant, buried in whatever nook or cranny offers them the best protection from cold and predators.   Many moths and butterflies overwinter as pupae although some adults, such as those of the Brimstone and Tortoiseshell butterflies, also overwinter successfully. The key to the survival of many so-called ‘cold hardy’ insects lies in the conversion of blood sugar to glycerol which acts as a diluted anti-freeze thereby protecting vital tissues against prolonged sub-zero temperatures.

Work Party Tuesday 13th January 10am - 1pm

We will be working along the back path burning the brash that we created last month; continuing any path clearance/Holly thinning in the same area;  clearing scrub around the drain outlet (where it passes beneath the flyover) to prevent blockage/scrub growth into the ditch. 

Meet along the back path at the West Moors Road end - phone Will Holland ,Ranger, on 07827820465 if directions are required.  Refreshments will be provided.

Work Parties

The work party dates for early 2015 are:-
January 13th
February 10th
March 10th

Further details will be posted nearer the date.

Nature Notes December

The year ended with mild weather on the whole, only turning to heavy overnight frosts  in the last week.  Another quiet month with little of consequence on view.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Wrens, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse.
Butterflies:   Red Admiral.
Insects:   Bees.
Fungi:   A small number of Fungi.

Nature Fact

The Wren  is a delightful plump little bird with a short, jaunty, upright tail,  that feels at home in most places.  The hedgerow is no exception for it delights in examining every crack and crevice, fallen leaf, twig or stone in its ceaseless search for a succulent insect or spider - which, apart from the occasional seed, form its main diet.  The familiar call of ‘tic-tic-tic’ in a deafening loud voice is out of proportion to its diminutive size.  Another astonishing feat performed by this little bird is its ability to reach up to peck above its head by simply stretching its neck in a quite un-wren-like manner.