SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Common/Black-headed Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Stonechats, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Swifts, Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches.
Plants in flower: Gorse, Flowering Currant, Amelanchier, Hazel Catkins, Broom, Primrose.
Fungi: Mitula Paludosa (Bog Beacon).
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Mole activity, Fox, Roe Deer.
Butterflies/Moths: Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Large White, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Species of flying Moths.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bees, Bumble Bees, Wasps, Midges, Flies, Hover Flies, Ants.
Pond Life: Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.
Several Swifts were seen flying over the Reserve in the last week of the month.
Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps seen and heard at numerous locations.
Many Tit species have taken to nesting in bird boxes provided, some already feeding young.
Fledgling Robins, out of the nest by end of April, were seen being fed by parents.
Mitrula Paludose has been prolific in the stream at Kingfisher Creek between the two bridges, this Spring. This can easily be mistaken for a flowering water plant.
SITE MANAGEMENT
New posts were installed and fencing replaced along the southern border of the dry heathland area. The next work party is scheduled for Tuesday at 10am. Details will be posted on this blog page nearer the time.
