Nature Notes January

The weather throughout January was similar to that of December, with windy and wet days and nights, with the occasional frost. Another relatively quiet month for observing the wildlife on the Reserve.

SIGHTINGS

Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Grey Heron, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.

Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer, Fox.

Insects: Buff-tailed Bees, Midges.

Plants in Flower: Common Gorse.

Fungi: Polypore.

Sparrowhawks were very active along the Hazelwood boundary, with the predating of a Greenfinch witnessed.

Two pairs of Bullfinch were sighted on a daily basis in Hazelwood area.

The clearing and surveying of the nesting boxes on site took place during January. The total boxes used for last years nesting season was 20 out of 42.  It is important to provide what appears to be surplus nesting sites as the birds move around to different areas to claim their territories. Several damaged boxes were removed for replacement.

The first sounds of birds calling for mates, where they are not already matched, were heard in January; male Great Tits and Robins being most evident.

Sphagnum Moss has done well throughout the Winter months, due to the wet conditions, forming large hummocks at the edge of pools.

SITE MANAGEMENT

Two work parties were held in January when clearing of invasive holly in the south west area of the Reserve continued. The next work party is scheduled for Thursday 1^st March. Details will be posted on the www.slopbog.org blog page.

Nature Fact

Sphagnum Moss grows on moors, marshes, bogs and wet heathlands, where the soil is acidic.

Work Party 11th January

We will be continuing to thin the Holly we started to clear on the last work party.  Meet at the Redwood Drive entrance at 10am.  Tools, gloves, refreshments available.  Please wear old clothes – we will likely have a bonfire.

Nature Notes December

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.

Nature Fact

The preferred nesting box for a Tawny Owl is a chimneystyle box, made to mimic the hollow, rotten end of a broken branch. These can be surprisingly narrow and deep, open at the upper end. The box is fixed at an angle of 45 degrees to ensure rain does not enter through the open top end. Drainage holes are drilled in the bottom end and wood chips are placed inside at the base.

Nature Notes November

Another predominately wet month, with rain, wind and the occasional dry sunny day.   Temperatures remained fairly mild throughout, until the last week, when heavy frosts occurred and cold winds were experienced.  Changes on the Reserve were very evident with foliage changing from Autumn colours to bare branches.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Grey Heron, Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Treecreepers, Nuthatches, Wrens, Goldcrest,  Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Dunnocks,, Stonechats, Redwings, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Blackcap, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Butterflies:   Red Admiral, Large White.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters.
Insects:   Midges, Bees.
Mammals:   Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Holly Berries, Blackberry fruits, Rowan Tree berries, Tree acorns, Ivy plant seed heads.
Fungi:   Many-zoned Polypore, Silver leaf bracket.
A Blackcap was seen along the Hazelwood boundary, not having migrated to warmer climes for the winter. A flock of Redwings were resident on site from the last week in the month, driven southwards from Scandinavia. They were feeding on Holly berries.

SITE  MANAGEMENT
The cattle have now been removed from the site.
The monthly work party cut back  Holly within the woodland in the south west corner  of the Reserve to encourage a more varied ground flora and allow some of the saplings of other species to gain a foothold.  The date of the next work party is yet to be decided.  Details will be posted on this blog page.

Nature Fact

Redwings are the smallest of the true Thrushes. They suffer severely in cold winters and any prolonged snowfall results in large numbers of underweight birds struggling to find enough food to keep warm and stay alive. This encourages them to move south, where they live a nomadic life, searching for food.  The  ‘seep’ sound is the most common flight call and if you see the birds in flight, a glimpse of the Redwing’s rich russet-red underwing and  bold eyestripe, which is white or yellowish-white, makes its identity clear.

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.

Nature Notes September

The weather during September was dominated by heavy rainfall and wind, with a few dry sunny days. The first signs of Autumn were showing. 

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Commmon Gulls, Grey Heron, Tawny Owls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbird, 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 Wood,. Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects:   Species of Bees and Wasps, Common Grasshopper, Garden Spider, Wasp Spider, Midges, Craneflies.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Emperor, Small Red. Four Spot Chaser.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm, Adder.
Plants in flower:   Blackberry flowers and berries, Large White Water Lily, Rowan Tree Berries, Ivy seed heads, Ling Heather, Honeysuckle, Cranesbill, Tormentil.
Fungi:   Fly Agaric, The Blusher, Birch Polypore, Common Puff Balls.

A number of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs observed feeding and should depart by the end of September.
Spagnum Moss is in healthy growth due to the rainfall  throughout the month.
Pipistrelle Bats have been recorded throughout the month on the dry evenings.
A good number of Fungi species formed throughout the month.
An Adder was spotted swimming across Kingfisher Creek.
The change to the bird song has been noted and sometimes aggressive behaviour, due to establishing individual Winter feeding territories.

Nature Fact

The Adder’s year has two stages and takes place in two habitats.  The timing of each stage is variable and depends on local weather conditions.  From about late September, Adders are inactive, living in underground retreats.   By the end of October or when temperatures fall below nine degrees centigrade, it is unusual to find an Adder above ground.  During the Winter, they make use, often communally, of existing burrows, cracks and crevices, particularly under or among tree roots.  There are two reasons, for sharing a Winter den.  Firstly, there is usually a scarcity of secure, safe sites which give protection from frost, but do not become too dry; secondly, many snakes coiled together help to keep each other warm.

Work Party Tuesday 26th September

There is a work party next Tuesday starting at 10am until 1pm.  Please meet at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will be installing a bench as well as undertaking a few other odd jobs.

As always wear old clothes and dress for the weather. Tools and refreshments will be provided.

Telephone Will Holland on 07827 820465 with any queries.

Nature Notes August

The weather during August was dominated by heavy showers of rain with strong winds on occasions. Towards the end of the month, drier conditions and mild days were experienced.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Tawny Owls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcap, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Goldcrest, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Siskins, Kestrel. Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:  Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Wood Mice, Roe Deer.
Butterflies/Moths:   Species of day flying Moths, Large/Small/Green Veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Back Swimmers, Whirlygig Beetles, Stickleback fish, Frog.
Insects:   Species of Bees and Wasps, Hoverflies, Common Green Grasshopper, Raft Spider, Sheet Web Spiders, Orb Spiders, Funnel Spiders.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:  Broad Bodied Chaser, Emperor, Small Red, Common Blue.
Reptiles:   Common Lizard, Female Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Female Adder.
Plants in flower:  Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Rowan Tree Berries, Holly Berries, Ivy seed heads, Large White Pond Lily, Blackberry fruits, Common Vetch, Cranesbill.

The Rowan berries are providing meals for a number of birds at present, particularly Blackbirds and Bullfinches.
Tawny Owls have continued to be very vocal along the Hazelwood fence line.
A number of Hedgehogs have been sighted in the late evening in gardens adjoining the Reserve.
Many migrant bird species are in the process of preparing to leave, building up their fat reserves for the long journey ahead of them. One of the first to leave is the Nightjar, who has not been heard calling during the past month.
With the wet and mild weather, Fungi is now forming.

SITE  MANAGEMENT
The fenceline forming the southern perimeter of the enclosure was reinforced with barbed wire. The path along this fence is being widened to allow vehicular access from the Redwood Road entrance as far as the boardwalk. The next work party is scheduled for 5th September and another may be held on the 26th - see this blog page for details nearer the time.

Nature Fact

The Bullfinch forages in woodland, especially coniferous forests. It is a versatile bird both in choice of habitat and in the food it eats, rarely moving more than a few miles from home territory and is expert at seeking out the best food available in its local patch. Adult Bullfinches are vegetarians but they feed their nestlings on large quantities of predigested and regurgitated insects and spiders. Throughout Summer and Autumn they consume a huge variety of seeds, anything from minute grass seeds to the ash keys which hang in inviting bunches and are one of the Bullfinch’s favourite food.