Nature Watch

Resident birds continue to seek out high fat food to provide them with body heat and energy for the colder days and nights ahead. Groups of Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs have been observed moving through the reserve at the start of their migration. Dartford Warblers and Stonechats have been seen on the heath on most monitoring visits. A Tawny Owl has been heard in Hazelwood on several evenings. There have been very few Bat recordings, the last being late September.

New plants found include Canadian Flebane, Hawkweed(Fox and Cubs), Davil's-bit Scabious and 12 Marsh Gentian.

A number of Grass Snakes and a few Slow Worms have been spotted as have up to 15 Common Lizards on the boardwalk.

There have been quite a number of large Hover Flies found mainly on the Heather, with Bush and Wasp Spiders, plus a Wasp Spider egg case. A few Common Darter Dragonfly plus a small number of Speckled Wood and Small Skipper Butterflies have been observed whilst 4 Fox Moth caterpillars were seen on the heath.

Both buck and doe Roe Deer have been sighted grazing on the open heathland in the early morning.

In spite of the dry weather over the past weeks, a good number of fungi have been found during the past month which include Plated Inkcap, Collared Earth Star, Many-zoned Polypore or Turketail, Spotted Toughshank, Sulphur Tuft, Primrose Brittlegill, Peppery Bolette, Birch Polypore and the Deceiver.

On several mornings recently, the heath and bog have been shrouded in heavy mist which enhances the multitude of various Spiders webs with moisture, making them more apparent adorning the trees, heather and fences on the reserve. Quite a magical scene for the observer

Nature Fact

Birds have the impulse to migrate when they sense the shortening of daylight hours as well as changes in the weather. With the lack of food source as Autumn passes into Winter, birds migrate to warmer places to seek insects which will sustain them

Site Management

The monthly Work Party cleared vegetation growth which was overhanging the path on West Moors Road

Events

An enjoyable hour of story telling "The Sting in the Tale" took place on Slop Bog on the warm pleasant evening of 22nd August, This event was well attended by both children and adults

Nature Watch

Yet another quiet period of observation.

There were sightings on the open heathland of Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Green Woodpeckers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. In the woodland corridor of Hazelwood, Nuthatch have been much in evidence being very vocal. Robin song was a feature as they declare their Winter territories.

The low growing Dwarf Gorse is giving a pleasding end of Summer display. Bees have been busy visiting this Gorse and the Heather on the heath. A number of Marsh Gentian have been recorded during the past month.

On warmer days, Common Lizards continue to bask in the sunshine on the boardwalk whilst female Roe Deer were spotted on the bog to the North.

The birds continue to strip the trees and bushes of Autumn berries, with the Tit species visiting the Pine Trees for seeds and insects. Autumn is truly with us on Slop Bog as leaves are turning colour, Pine Needles are falling and several cool misty mornings have been experienced.