The weather in December delivered many windy, wet days, although on the whole temperatures were mild albeit with a few very frosty cold days and nights, and a some sleet flurries. The Reserve looked bleak on many occasions, with most of the inhabitants seen on the perimeter, where cover was provided by trees and bushes.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Blackheaded Gulls, Common Gulls, Grey Herons, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Male Blackcap, Goldcrest, Stonechats, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Longtailed Tits.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Brown Rats.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects : Bees. Plants in Flower: Common Gorse.
Fungi: Polypore.
The wet and windy conditions did not encourage wild life to show. On several cold frosty mornings, Brown Rats were seen on the Hazelwood boundary.
SITE MANAGEMENT
A Tawny Owl nesting box was constructed by a Guardian volunteer and installed by two volunteer site recorders, to replace a damaged box. There was no work party – the next one will be held on 11th January at 10am. Details will be posted on this blog page.
