Site Management

Felling of trees from within the enclosure has now been completed opening up a larger dry heath clearing thus providing essential habitat for reptiles, one being the rare Sand Lizard. The Guardians work party continued to clear a route for a new permissive woodland path. The path is scheduled for completion by 31 January 2009 and it is hoped it will help to relieve pressure on the fragile heathland and the wildlife found there.

Three donated bat boxes have been sited on trees along Kingfisher Creek.

Another calf has been produced by one of the grazing cows.

Nature Watch

Another wet and windy period with only a few short spells of dry, warm days. This has been a quiet time with fewer sightings than previous months.

RECORDINGS

Hazel Wood: Tawny Owls, Chaffinch, Wren, Blackbirds, Greenfinch, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Speckled Wood butterflies, Pipistrelle Bats. Plants - Herb Robert, Thyme Leaved Speedwell, Geum, Arum, Enchanter's Nightshade, Cross Leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Blackberries. Spiders - Hammock Web, Nursery, Funnel or Sheet Web, Harvestman, Looper.

Wet Wood: Great Tits, Blackbirds, Jay, 3 Roe Deer.

Boardwalk: Common Lizard, Cotton Grass.

Heathland: Silver Studded Blue/pair of Camberwell Beauty butterflies, Grasshoppers, Southern Hawker dragonfly, Kestral, Buzzard, Magpie, Sundews, Dwarf Gorse, Broad Leaved Helleborine.

Flocks of House Martins and Crossbills in flight were seen over the West Woodland circular walk.

Badgers have been spotted in a garden on the West side of the Reserve - the first sighting made in recent years.

Birds are now in their quiet vocal month prior to establishing Winter territories. Migratory birds will be preparing for their long journeys to warmer climates. The Nightjar normally departs from mid-August.

Nature Fact

Badgers have powerful front feet perfect for digging out wasps and bees nests, earthworms, bulbs and roots.

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.