Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Site Management
The October work party assisted the D.D.C. Conservation Rangers with the clearance of small trees and shrubs from a raised bank on the heathland. This clearance is necessary to provide open, dry, exposed areas, a requirement for reptiles, insects and heathland birds to find food in these locations.
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Forthcoming Event
Fungi Observation Walk with George Dunkling on Sunday 28th October at 10am. Meet at the Redwood Drive entrance
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
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
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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
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