The weather during July was very mixed, with extremely hot dry weather followed by windy and wet conditions. Quite quiet on the Reserve as the breeding season nears the end for most animals.
SIGHTINGS
Birds : Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Tawny Owls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests, Wrens, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Nightjar, Siskins, Kestrel, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Fox, Pipistrelle Bats.
Butterflies/Moths: Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Large/Small White, Comma, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood. Species of day flying Moths.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Back Swimmers, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects: Species of Bees, Hoverflies, Wasps, Mining Bees, Velvet Ants, Common Green Grasshoppers, Raft Spider, Sheet Web Spiders, Orb Spiders, Funnel Spiders, Seven Spot Ladybird.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Southern Hawker, Broad Bodied Chaser, Four Spot Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Small Red, Common Blue, Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle.
Reptiles: Common Lizard.
Plants in flower: Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Bog Asphodel, Rowan Tree Berries, Holly Berries, Large White Pond Lily, Blackberry Fruits, Cranesbill, Garlic Mustard, Common Vetch,
A Nightjar was last recorded on 7th July before the weather turned wet.
Young Owlets have been heard along Hazelwood.
A case of Avian Pox was sighted on a Dunnock along the southern fence line and reported to the appropriate authorities.
SITE MANAGEMENT
Cattle returned to the Reserve in early July. There was no work party in July-the next two will be held on the 1st August and 5th September. Details will be posted on this blog page nearer the time.
