Nature Watch

Erratic weather conditions continued with long periods of strong winds and heavy rainfall hindering recording and making the Reserves inhabitants reluctant to show themselves.

RECORDINGS

Hazel Wood: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bees, Blackberry bushes in flower.

Wet Wood: Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Wren, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Raft Spiders, Pond Skaters, Chiffchaffs, Wren, Southern Hawker Dragonflies, Bog Asphodel in flower on the bog.

Heathland: Grasshoppers, Broad Bodied/Southern Hawker Dragonflies, Gatekeeper/Orange Tip/Large Skipper/Meadow Brown/Silver Studded Blue Butterflies, Bees, Stonechats, Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit, Jays, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sundew in flower, Bog Asphodel in flower, Common Orchid in flower bud.

A recent survey of Silver Studded Blue butterflies by the DCC Conservation Rangers has shown a significant fall in numbers compared with previous years.

Fewer sightings of both reptiles and amphibians for this period.

Note the lack of yellow feather colour of Blue and Great Tits this year. This indicates a problem in the natural food chain with a huge reduction of caterpillars which are the source of the feather pigment.

Very few butterfly species have been seen on the wing to date.

Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers have been very noticeable around the fringes of the Reserve this Summer. Hopefully they are now established for breeding this year and they may well return.

Nature Watch

There have been very mixed weather conditions during the past few weeks including prolonged rainfall, strong winds and hot days. Most of our garden and woodland birds have produced their young which have now fledged. Some species eg the Robin may produce a second brood

SIGHTINGS

Hazelwood: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch,Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Goldcrests, Wrens, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Blue/Great/Coal/Long tailed Tits, Songthrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks, Crows, Magpies, Wood Pigeon, Mallard Ducks, Grey Squirrel Fox, Speckled Wood butterflies, Holly Blue butterflies, Blusher Fungi, Cuckoo Wasps.

Wet Wood: Songthrush, Chiffchaffs, Jays, Magpies, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Wrens, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Great/Blue/Tits, Frog, Smooth Snake, Grass Snake, Large Red Damselfly, Banded Agrion, Common Blue damselfly, Broad Bodied Chaser/Four Spot Chaser dragonflies.

Boardwalk: Chiffchaffs, Newts, Common Water Boatman, Pond Skaters, Raft Spiders Common Lizards, Buzzards/Swallows in flight.

Heathland: Dartford Warblers, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jays, Heron/Buzzards in flight, Four Spot Chaser dragonflies, Silver Studded Blue butterfly, Female Roe Deer, Grass Snake.

Blackcaps continue to provide their delightful melodic song along Hazelwood path.

Mallard Ducks with nine young were seen in the Hazelwood stream.

Fox cubs were observed playing at the entrance of the earth in Hazelwood. One fatality has been reported, possibly caused by a passing dog.

The first sighting of a Silver Studded Blue butterfly this year was recorded on 5th June.

The year's first calling of a Nightjar, here to breed on the heathland, was recorded on 10th June.

Nature Watch

With heavy rain, strong winds and freezing night temperatures followed by morning frost, wildlife sightings have proved difficult. However, on the occasional brighter days during the past month the following bird sightings have been recorded:- Mallard Ducks, Herons, Wrens, Goldcrests, Long Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Blackbirds, Robins, Sparrowhawk, Jays, Magpies, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers, Snipe, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Green Wood peckers. Many of these species visit the feeding station in the Wet Wood which provides a life line when stocked with suitable Winter food. Robins are choosing mates for next year, chasing each other in flight and showing fierce behaviour in defending their Winter feeding territories.

There is evidence of the resident foxes digging out and enlarging their earths in preparation of producing cubs in the early part of the new year. An old disused earth has been excavated, probably by this years cubs displaced from their parents territory.

Moles have been active in the moist soil of West Wood as many mole hills are evident.

The Highways Agency have conducted a survey on the perimeter drains at Slop Bog as a consequence of which it is exciting to report both Dormice and Smooth Snakes have been confirmed in the area.

Nature Watch

On warmer days, Painted Lady Butterflies have been seen on the fringes of the reserve.

Resident birds observed in this period have been groups of Jays, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers, Tit Species, Goldcrests, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers, Magpies, Sparrowhawks and Nuthatch. Small numbers of Redwing passed through. A Heron in flight was spotted which was being attacked by several Crows. Reports of most species of garden birds returning to feed at bird tables bordering the reserve now that natural food is becoming scarce.

Area of Heather, which had been cut down earlier in the Summer to promote new growth, have recovered well and showing fresh foliage.

An Adder was seen by the members of the party working on the bank