September began with periods of heavy rain turning to brighter blustery weather mid to late month. Several mornings were damp and misty, giving an Autumnal feel.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Tawny Owls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Siskins, Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Reed Bunting, Jack Snipe, Pheasant, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal-Blue-Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower: Ling, Water Lily.
Pond Life: Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths: Large/Small Whites, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, species of day flying moths.
Insects: Midges, Sheet/Orb Spiders. Grasshoppers.
Reptiles: Slow Worms. Common Lizard.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Broad Bodied, Common Darter, Emperor.
In the latter part of the month, migrant birds such as Willow Warblers and Chiff Chaffs were seen feeding, several together, preparing for their departure.
Pipistrelle Bats were recorded late into the month, on warm dry evenings.
A Jack Snipe was observed in flight and adjacent to the boardwalk. These birds usually breed elsewhere but do visit the site throughout the Winter months, although difficult to locate and observe, unless disturbed.
Several species of birds seen catching food for the oncoming Winter, including Jays and Nuthatches.
Many finches were late in producing young this Summer. Noticeable were the young Goldfinches who at present lack their red and black masked faces which will develop during the Winter months.
SITE MAINTENANCE
The work party laid chicken wire on the replaced boardwalk planks as well as clearing scrub along fence lines, ditches and paths. The next work party is scheduled for October 25th commencing 10am. Details will posted on this blog page nearer the time.
