Work Party Tuesday 25th April 10am-1pm

We are hoping to finish off the post and rail fencing so please meet at the Redwood Drive entrance or for those of you that were here last month – meet at the worksite.

Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided.

Nature Fact

Plant growth is triggered and can be sustained whenever the mean temperature rises to six degrees centigrade, which, in the British Isles, is regularly reached in March.

Nature Notes March

The weather was mixed ranging from fine warm days to wet and windy. The warmer temperatures encouraged many species of wildlife to venture out into the early Spring.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Magpies, Carrion Crows, Jays, Buzzards, Jackdaws, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves, Grey Heron, Stock Doves, Song Thrushes, Robins, Blackbirds, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Siskins, Stonechats, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Wrens, Goldcrests, Firecrest, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Flowering Currant, Primrose, Amelanchier, Hazel Catkins.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Mole activity, Foxes, Female Roe Deer.
Insects:   Buff-tailed Bees, Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Wasps, Midges, Flies.
Butterflies:   Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Tortoiseshell.
Pond Life:   Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.

The second week in the month brought a Blackcap along the Hazelwood boundary.
The first call and sighting of Chiffchaffs came at the end of the month.  The males are spaced evenly along the Hazelwood paths, fenceline and heathland, Kingfisher Creek and on the northern heathland wood boundary.
A Nuthatch was observed preparing a nest in a dead Pine tree trunk, alongside the heathland fenceline path. The downsizing of the entrance hole with mud is most important to deter any predators.
Many of the nest boxes are now occupied by potential pairs with much activity by the Tit species.
Common Gorse adds a vibrant yellow to the Reserve producing the scent of coconut on warmer days.
Hazel Catkins are on view from the boardwalk.

SITE  MANAGEMENT
Fencing was replaced along the southern border of the dry heathland area and new posts installed.  The next work party is scheduled for Tuesday 25th April at 10am.  Details will be posted on www.slopbog.org  blog page nearer the time.