Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Event
The Guardians, namely George and Audrey Dunkling together with Keith and Christine Wilcox, exhibited a history of Slop Bog at the Kinson Common Open day held on Sunday 10th August. The weather stayed dry enabling the many visitors to view the displays on offer.
Site Management
The Hazelwood path, running adjacent to gardens of Hazel Drive, has been resurfaced primarily financed by the Slop Bog Guardians LHI grant. The Aberdeen Angus cow which recently gave birth has been removed from the Reserve. She proved to be very protective of her calf and aggresive to passers-by.
Monday, 14 July 2008
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.
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.
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Event
George and Audrey Dunkling, on behalf of the Slop Bog Guardians, will be presenting information (including a photographic display) at the Kinson Common Open Day on 10th August starting at 11am . This event offers many interesting displays from various organisations involved with natural history and conservation. All visitors welcome.
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