Nature Watch

The past month saw mixed weather of wind, rain, mist, frost and warm sunshine. Improving weather conditions during the latter part of the period increased the chances of wildlife sightings.

The following have been observed on monitoring visits:-

Birds.... Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Meadow Pipits and a female Reed Bunting.

Mammals... A pair of Roe deer and several female Roe deer.

Plants... Celandine and Hazel Catkins.

Fungi... Yellow Brain, Jelly and Blueing Bracket.

There were early sightings of Brimstone, Peacock butterflies and Bees on the boundaries adjoining gardens.

First sightings of Frog and Toad spawn in the stream and pools are awaited.

Comments: Christine Wilcox
Photographs: Christine and Keith Wilcox

Nature Fact

The Roe Deer male(Buck) have short antlers up to 30 centimetres long. The antlers drop off at the end of the year and grow back again in February. In this respect they are different from other species of deer who lose their antlers in Spring and grow them again in Summer. When the Roe deer's antlers first grow, they are soft and tender and covered with a thin velvety skin. This thin skin is rubbed off against the trunks of trees. Look out for markings on the bark approx 1 metre from the ground

Site Management

Cutting down Rhododendron and Laurel. Clearance of growth along the Wet Wood stream bank. Installation of Tree Creeper nesting box

Nature Watch

Ongoing poor weather conditions during the past month has contributed to the lack of wildlife sightings. The very recent rainfall has waterlogged a number of paths and filled the peat ponds to overflowing. Most of the inhabitants of Slop Bog are presently in hibernation or sheltering from the elements.

The following have been recorded on monitoring visits:-

Birds- Magpies, Jays, Seagulls, Nuthatch, Great Tits, Blue tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Song Thrush and Snipe.

Fungi- Common Puffball and Polypore

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Photographs courtesy of Christine Wilcox