Mixed weather conditions throughout May ending with warm sunny days. The Reserve offered sightings of several migratory birds.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Tawny Owls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Cuckoo, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Reed Bunting, Siskins, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Male Mallard Duck.
Mammals: Roe Deer, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Fox, Mole activity.
Plants in flower: Cranesbill, Catkins, Cotton Grass, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Rhododendron, Rowan.
Fungi: Birch Polypore.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Stickebacks.
Butterflies/Moths: Large/Small Whites, Brimstone, Holly Blues, Orange Tips, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, species of day flying Moths.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bees, Hover Flies, Midges, Black Ants.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Four Spot Chaser, Small Red, Common Blue Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle.
Reptiles: Common Lizards, Grass Snake.
Tawny Owls have reared two Owlets this year, using one of the Owl nesting boxes installed by S.B.G. Another box has four eggs,but no adult Owl has been observed incubating. This is the first time the boxes have been used.
A Cuckoo was heard calling from the north end of the site, early in the month.
Tree Pipits have returned and have been seen on the Pine trees on the central heathland.
Many young birds were observed on site late in the month, having fledged. The Blue Tits nesting in a box, mentioned in the April report, only achieved to rear two young out of the initial five. This could have been an indication of low insect numbers at the time of rearing.
Site Management
The walk way site access from Cedar Way has been completed. Encroaching vegetation was cleared from the boardwalk by the work party volunteers and rotten planks replaced.
It was hoped the cattle would have returned to the Reserve by now but we understand negotiations continue with the preferred grazier.
It was hoped the cattle would have returned to the Reserve by now but we understand negotiations continue with the preferred grazier.
