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 1st March. Details will be posted
on the www.slopbog.org blog
page.
