Sunday, 21 December 2008
Nature Fact
During the Autumn, Robins show extreme aggression to each other defending their feeding rights. This changes during December as interest in each other suddenly switches to that of pairing. Having paired up, the birds separate but remain true to their partners until the Spring when they meet up to mate. Several large species of birds, Owls and Woodpeckers among them, also behave in this way.
Site Management
Brush burning continued following the recent tree felling. Nest box monitors have completed the annual survey and emptied the used boxes of their contents. Several boxes have been re-sited and repairs made as required. The survey of the 37 boxes on site revealed:- 27 with constructed nests, 7 empty, 2 chimney style Owl boxes recently installed, 1 large Owl box not inspected. At this time of year the boxes offer shelter and overnight roosting for small birds.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Nature Watch
Very mixed weather conditions during the past month. Mostly overcast but a few warm dry days, a cold snap and some torrential downpours with strong winds. The cold spell held back fungi development until recently when milder conditions encouraged growth.
SIGHTINGS
Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Great/Blue/Coal/Longtail Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Buzzard, a female Roe Deer. A visiting flock of Redwing have been seen in Hazelwood. There were two separate sightings of Crossbill in the North West of the site.
There has been no recent movement from the Foxes earth in the bank skirting Hazelwood. It is a possibility they vacated their earth due to the noise and disturbance during path resurfacing and tree felling in close proximity to their home. Monitoring will continue.
Three bird fatalities were reported within the last two weeks; a Goldfinch, female Kestrel and a young male Great Spotted Woodpecker. All these birds were resident in Hazelwood regularly visiting garden feeding stations. All flew into plate glass windows of houses bordering the Reserve. This is a frequent occurrence but can be avoided by the application of nature window stickers on large areas of glass.
The last Pipistrelle Bat sighting and reading was taken on 2nd November. Although the weather has been mild for a period since, there have been no further recordings.
Two photographs taken by George Dunkling during the Summer Spider Survey 2008 are shown below
SIGHTINGS
Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Great/Blue/Coal/Longtail Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Buzzard, a female Roe Deer. A visiting flock of Redwing have been seen in Hazelwood. There were two separate sightings of Crossbill in the North West of the site.
There has been no recent movement from the Foxes earth in the bank skirting Hazelwood. It is a possibility they vacated their earth due to the noise and disturbance during path resurfacing and tree felling in close proximity to their home. Monitoring will continue.
Three bird fatalities were reported within the last two weeks; a Goldfinch, female Kestrel and a young male Great Spotted Woodpecker. All these birds were resident in Hazelwood regularly visiting garden feeding stations. All flew into plate glass windows of houses bordering the Reserve. This is a frequent occurrence but can be avoided by the application of nature window stickers on large areas of glass.
The last Pipistrelle Bat sighting and reading was taken on 2nd November. Although the weather has been mild for a period since, there have been no further recordings.
Two photographs taken by George Dunkling during the Summer Spider Survey 2008 are shown below
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