Work Party Tuesday 31st January 10am-1pm

Meet at the boardwalk, West Moors Road entrance end. Probable tasks include replacing fencing and clearing vegetation from the bank bordering Kingfisher Creek. Underfoot conditions may well be wet so the wearing of wellington boots is recommended. Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided.

Phone Will Holland on 07827 820465 for further details if required.

Nature Notes December

Predominately mild  but hard night frosts at the end of the month.  A quiet month on the Reserve as expected for the time of year.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Herons, Carrion Crows, Buzzards, Jackdaws, Tawny Owls, Magpies, Jays, Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves. Collared Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Siskins, Stonechat, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Pied Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Roe Deer, Fox, Grey Squirrels, Wood Mice, evidence of Mole activity.
Pond Life:   Whirlygig Beetles.
Fungi:   Many-zoned Polypore.
Plants:   Holly Berries.

A sighting of a Firecrest was reported by a visitor.  Birds of the same species seen in pairs already.

Nature Fact

The Firecrest is only marginally larger than a Goldcrest but is more brightly coloured, with greener upperparts, whiter underparts and a strongly striped head, including a dark stripe through the eye and bordered black above. The male has a startling orange red and yellow patch on the crown. The female’s crown patch is more yellow.  Both sexes have a bronze patch on the side of the neck.