Nature Notes August

August brought heavy rainfall with winds and fluctuating temperatures. A few warmer bright days were experienced towards the end of the month. Another month not providing much to report, although a good selection of Fungi was brought forth by the warm damp conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jackdaws, Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Willow Warblers, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Dunnocks, Wrens, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Blackcap.
Reptiles: Adder, Common Lizard.
Butterflies: Large Whites, Grayling, Peacock.
Plants in flower: Common Helleborine, Cut-leaved Geranium, Heather/Ling, Low growing Gorse, perfume from Bog-Myrtle.
Mammals: Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels.
Fungi: Yellow Swamp Brittlegill Russula claroflava, Paxillus atrotomentosus, Paxillus involutus, Brown Birch Bolete, Leccinum scabrum, Willow Bracket, Phellinus orgniari, Lactarious quieticolor, Green Brittlegill, Russula aeruginea, Sickner, Russula emetic, Primrose Brittlegill, Russula saronia, Blucher, Amanita rubescens, White Knight, Tricholoma stiparophyllom, Yellow Staghorn, Calocera viscose, Collared Earthstar Geastrum, Cream Pinkgill, Eantoloma sericellum pos. Russet Toughshank, Collybia dryophila, Collared Parachute Marasmius rotula.

Nature Notes May

The weather during May was on the whole dry with strong winds. Less reported wildlife during this period compared with previous year.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Black-headed Gulls, Buzzard, Kestrel, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song/Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Dunnocks, Siskins, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers, Tree Pipits, Cuckoo, Wood Pigeons, Long-tailed/Blue/ Coal/ Great Tits.
Plants in flower: Broom, Wild Geranium, Blackberries, Cotton Grass, Rhododendron.
Reptiles/Amphibians: Slow Worms, Common Lizards, Grass Snakes, Adder
Insects/Bugs/Spiders: Raft Spiders, Sawfly Caterpillars.
Dragonfly: Broad Bodied.
Damselfly: Small Red.
Mammals: Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies: Speckled Wood, Small White.

A very quiet month with few noticeable insects, butterflies, dragonflies or damselflies.
The majority of birds have now produced young which have fledged, many seen flying and feeding together in family groups.
The Bog Myrtle bordering the boardwalk has produced a perfume from the leaves.
Sheets of webs covering bushes contain the Sawfly caterpillar, which is green with small yellow spots.
A Cuckoo was heard but not seen at the south east end of the boardwalk, within the woodland.

Nature Notes January

Harsh weather conditions throughout the month. Cold days and nights at the beginning of the month, moving into a period of heavy rain and strong winds, closing with dry conditions with a strong north easterly wind. Another quiet month for observations on the Reserve.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Sparrowhawk, Black Headed Gulls, Buzzards, Heron, Jays, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinch, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Redwings, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Goldcrests, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap. A Snipe was seen on the north west of the site. A male Blackcap and a male Bullfinch were both seen along Hazelwood west path.
Plants: Gorse in flower. Hazels showing catkins.
Mammals: Fox, Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.

No Frogs or Toads seen as yet.
Fresh mole hills are along the Hazelwood woodland, indicating that moles are fairly active in their movements during January.
The repaired and replaced nest boxes were re-installed on the reserve during January. Many boxes are providing safe protective winter roosting at night for the Tit species. Many birds are already presenting bird song to attract mates, with many species having been seen flying in pairs and visiting boxes during the day.

Nature Watch December

The year ended with harsh wintry conditions namely heavy snow, frosts and hard icy ground. Wildlife in general has struggled against the elements with every daylight hour taken seeking out food. Many species have taken to feeding in gardens at the perimeter of the site. The feeding stations on site at Kingfisher Creek have been stocked with suitable food during this wintry weather,

SIGHTINGS
Plants: Gorse in flower.
Birds: Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long Tailed Tits, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Magpie, Crows, Wood Pigeons, Jays, Black-Headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskin, Reed Bunting. Redwing, Fieldfares.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Roe Deer.

No sightings of Stonechat or Dartford Warblers on the open heathland this month.
A pair of Heron have been seen flying along the tree canopy of Hazelwood at times, in addition to the single Heron.
A Reed Bunting has been heard, but not seen, at the end of the boardwalk, western end. This species has been seen in numbers at this location in the past.
Large flocks of both Redwing and Fieldfares, driven down from Scandinavia by the severe weather conditions, have been sighted along the Hazelwood tree line seeking fresh berries to eat.
Those nest boxes requiring maintenance following the survey were removed off site, repaired or replaced, and are awaiting relocation as soon as possible in January, weather permitting. Many Tit species are using the boxes at this time for sheltered overnight roosting.

Nature Watch October

Weather: A cold snap in the middle of October but the rest of the month was mainly mild with rain showers.

Sightings
Plants in flower: Gorse is now showing a few flowers.
Birds: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Crows, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Dartford Warbler, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.

There were fewer finds of fresh Fungi after mid-October, probably due to the cold period mid-month. The majority of the previous months Fungi is deteriorating because of the drop in temperature.
Many birds are now holding their own winter feeding territories, showing aggression to any other birds.
Good news on the sighting of a Dartford Warbler in the Eastern Enclosure as this specie has been absent for two Summers.
The Bat detector failed to record any movement during October.

During November, watch out for winter migrant birds such as Fieldfares, Redwing, Brambling and Siskin coming onto the Reserve to feed and shelter.

Nature Watch September

Mixed weather conditions experienced with heavy rain at the end of the month.

From September to the middle of November is the best time to search for fungi particularly following heavy rain. Already this year over fifty species have been found on site of which the following were recorded during September:-

Cap Boletus, Bay Boletus badius, Red Cracking Bolete Boletus chrysenteron, Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare, Spectacular Rustgill, Brown Rollcap, False Deathcap, The Blusher Amanita Rebecens, Fly Agaric, Lilac Bonnet, Bovine Bolete Suillus Bovinus, Ugly Milkcap Lactarius turpis, Milk White Brittlegill Russula dilica, Panthercap Amanita, Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis decora, The Deceiver Laccaria laccata, Amethyst Laccaria amethystine, Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea, Poisonpie Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Primrose Brittlegill Russula sardonia, Conifer Mazegill Cloeophyllum sepiarlum, Hedgehog Fungus Hydnum repandum, Veiled Fibrecap inocybe nappies, Russet Toughshank Collybia dryophila, St George’s Mushroom Tricholoma gambosum, Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, Brittlegill Russula Lactarus, Collared Earthstar Geastrum triples, False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Lactarius quieticolor, Purple Brittlegill Russula atropurpurea.

The only additional birds to last month’s listing has been a flock of Canada Geese flying in formation North to South over the Reserve. Willow Warblers continue to be sighted on migration. A Blackcap was spotted in Hazelwood and it is possible it will remain in the area for the Winter period, as last year.

Only a small number of Common Lizards have been seen on the boardwalk.

No Bat recordings beyond mid-month.

Butterfly sightings: Large White, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady.

Nature Watch

The end of March and early April provided cool and wet weather conditions. This changed in the second week of April to sunny days and cool nights. With the more favourable weather conditions, the creatures on site have been showing well and insects are more abundant.

SIGHTINGS : Pond Skaters, Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Brimstone/Peacock/Red Admiral Butterflies, Ladybirds, Raft Spider, Wolf Spider, Common Lizard, Frog Spawn, Common Frog, Palmate Newt, Buzzards, Jays, Crows, Heron, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Blackcap, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Stonechats, Common Snipe, Woodcock, Pipistrelle Bats, Slow Worm, Roe Deer. Plants in flower included Common Field Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Lesser Celandine, Primrose, Gorse.

Song Thrushes are very evident along Hazelwood, delivering their distinctive song. Very early fledgling Blackbirds have been spotted in Hazelwood. Chiffchaffs have returned from their Winter feeding grounds. Generally, paired birds are busy with nest building.

The onset of warmer weather in early April saw the first reading of Pipistrelle Bats being active at dusk.

Sightings/Observations

Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Crows, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Long/Blue/Great/Coal Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Wrens, Goldcrests, Siskins, Redwings, Fieldfares, Stonechats, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and a Heron in flight over the Reserve. Food is being provided for the birds on the feeding tables at Wet Wood to support them through this very difficult period of severe weather conditions.
Flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares are again frequenting the Hazelwood area into Wet Wood and have been sighted in the gardens of Hazel Drive.
Many tracks of Roe Deer and Foxes have been found in the snow with strong scent markings by foxes.
Blue Tits continue to night roost in two separate camera boxes on the Hazelwood/Hazel Drive fringe.

Nature Watch

A month of very mixed weather for our area. Heavy snow fall, frost, wet and windy, with only a few dry milder days.

SIGHTINGS

Hazelwood- Nuthatch, Wrens, Chaffinches, Siskins, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, all Tit species, Goldcrests, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Male Pheasant, Female Tawny Owl.

Wet Wood- All Tit species, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Sparrowhawk, Wrens.

Beaufoys Plantation- Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskins, Goldcrests.

Western Enclosure- Green Woodpecker, Dartford Warbler.

Eastern Enclosure- Pair of Snipe, pair of Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Green Woodpecker, first sighting of Pond Skaters on the surface of the acid pools(12/3).

Beaufoys Bog- Pair of Snipe, Dartford Warbler, female Roe Deer.

Buzzards Carr- Buzzards.

Wild Wood- Jays, Bramblings.

Dragonfly Drop- Flock of Redwing, Buzzards.

Roe Deer footprints found in snow and soft mud. Several Raptor strike remains have been found on site.

The Blue Tit study is ongoing. Daylight activity has increased to 12 hours and the bird continues to night roost. Will it choose to use this box for nesting with a partner?

The spider shown this month is the Heath or 4 Spot Orb Weaver, another specie observed during the Summer 2008 survey. This large brightly coloured spider lives on grassland, heathland and hedgerows. The abdomen may be yellow, orange, green, red or brown. It spins a large vertical orb-web built low down among ground vegetation. It catches mainly grasshoppers, crickets and other jumping insects

Nature Watch

The severe temperatures in the latter part of December and into the new year forced much of the wildlife on the Reserve to keep a very low profile. The landscape has offered many stunning Winter views with heavy frost on the ground, trees and foliage whilst the peat bog channels were frozen over. The feeding stations at Kingfisher Creek have been regularly supplied with appropriate food for the season in a bid to support the many tit species and woodland birds in that area. There has been good news concerning the foxes earth in Hazelwood as it appears to have been dug out recently, enlarging the inner chamber, with all signs of prospective parents being in residence.

All the Winter resident birds seen have been recorded in the woodland area and on the open heath. A pair of Reed Buntings were spotted at the West end of the boardwalk. Despite the harsh weather conditions, a Dartford Warbler and a Stonechat were sighted on a cold but sunny morning in the first week of January. Wrens and Goldcrests are much in evidence with their very distinctive sounds being heard. A small flock of Crossbills appeared fleetingly over the enclosure near Redwood Drive and a Jackdaw was seen flying across the heath.

The mammals are still proving elusive.

This month we feature two more spiders found on the 2008 spider survey undertaken by George and Mark Dunkling:-

The Water Spider(Argyroneta Aquatic) lives in a bell shaped home attached to underwater plants. They only venture out to collect air or capture food which consists of tadpoles, small fish and other small aquatic insects.

The Raft Spider(Dolomedes Fimbriatus) is most often seen along the boardwalk from April to October. The females grow to 22mm and the male to only 10/13mm. They usually wait for insects to alight nearby then run swiftly along and grab them. Another tactic is to sit on a floating leaf with its front legs on the surface of the water waiting for vibrations caused by struggling insects thereby locating its prey