Nature Fact

During a recent study of an overnight roosting Blue Tit in a nesting box along the Hazel Drive fringe, it was recorded that in November, December and into January roosting commenced on the dot of twenty past four each afternoon. The bird vacated the box each morning between 7.20 and 7.40. It was established that weather conditions did not change the times but it was noted morning departure was connected to light levels as on darker days departure was delayed. An overall time of fifteen hours roosting was the norm. The photograph of the Blue Tit, as above, shows that a bird really does tuck the head under its wing when asleep.

Site Management

The Christmas/New Year work party continued burning brush in Hazelwood from trees felled in the Autumn.

Nature Watch

After a period of wind and heavy rain at the end of November, the weather changed to clear, sunny days and hard frosts on most nights. A quiet time on the heathland with only larger birds sighted ie Magpies, Jays, Crows and Woodpeckers. The smaller all year resident birds can be seen on most days especially at the feeder tables on the embankment of Kingfisher Creek. The only recordings of the more elusive birds on site have been a Mistle Thrush, Snipe and a female Grey Wagtail in the North West corner of the Reserve. No mammals have been seen for some time - it is possible they are keeping to the shelter of woodland areas. Fungi are sparse with only a few Bracket showing on birch trees.

Two further photographs of spiders, taken by George Dunkling during the Summer survey, are shown below.