Work Party Tuesday 28th November

Meet at 10am at Redwood Drive entrance. We will be thinning out some of the holly within the woodland to allow more light to the ground. This will encourage a more varied ground flora and allow some of the saplings of other species to gain a foothold.

There is the chance of a bonfire although Holly is often reluctant to burn so we may stack it. Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. Please wear old clothes. A chance to take some Holly home for Christmas decorations if you like but we will be leaving any that bear berries.

Please ring Will Holland on 07827 820465 if any queries.

Nature Notes October

October was predominately wet, with short spells of drier mild weather.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls,  Grey Herons, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer.
Butterflies/Moths:   Species of day flying Moths, Large White, Speckled Woods, Peacock, Red Admiral.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects:   Midges, Raft Spiders.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Emperor.
Plants in flower:  Blackberry berries, Rowan Tree berries, Oak Tree acorns, Ivy plant seed heads.
Fungi:   Fly Agaric, The Blusher, Birch Polypore, Common Puff Balls, The Sickener.

Pipistrelle Bats were still being seen and recorded on dry mild evenings.
Robins and Blackbirds continued to establish their Winter feeding territories.
Long-tailed Tits seen in flocks of up to 15 in number.
Sparrowhawks were frequently active in hunting along the Hazel Drive boundary.

Nature Fact

The Raft or Fishing Spider is mainly observed on moss or a leaf at the waters edge, or actually on the water surface, hunting down prey.  When alarmed it will sometimes vanish by climbing down the stem of a water plant, where it can remain submerged for up to an hour.