Nature Watch

The weather has been very mixed since the last report. The sound of bird song has filled the air along the path bordering Hazelwood eg Song Thrush, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Many of the nesting boxes are occupied with the majority of birds at the egg sitting stage but a few early starters are feeding young. The Blue Tit observed roosting in the camera box chose not to nest in that location.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS

Hazelwood- Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wrens, Siskins, Buzzard, Heron, Pipistrelle Bats, Holly Blue/Speckled Wood/Small Tortoiseshell/Orange Tip/ Peacock/ Small & Large White butterflies.

Wet Wood- Jays, Song Thrush, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps.

Nightjar Twirl- Male and female Roe Deer, Chiffchaffs, Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Speckled Wood butterflies, Bog beacon in stream east of the bridge.

Beaufoys Bog- Pair of Stonechats, Kestrel, Cotton Grass, Lousewort.

Western Enclosure- Pair of Tree Pipits, Pair of Stonechats, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lousewort in flower.

Beaufoys Plantation- Pair of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrests, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker.

Boardwalk area- Common Lizards, Adder, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms.

Dragonfly Drop- Chiffchaffs, Buzzards.

Eastern Enclosure- Female Tree Pipit.

A pair of Grey Lagged Geese were observed flying over the site.

George and Mark Dunkling have again begun a Summer of observing, photographing and compiling a list of spiders and insects resident on site. It is important to record and log this information as it assists in the understanding of the food chain within the Slop Bog habitat.

Recording by Christine Wilcox and George Dunkling

Nature Fact

In Spring male Roe Deer, having grown their antlers, rub off the soft velvet covering against tree trunks which exposes the hard core. The picture below shows this has happened with one antler, the other remaining in velvet.

Site Management

Repairs to damaged fencing has been undertaken. Eight cattle are now on site. "Dogs on leads" signs have been installed at the gate entrances to the fenced enclosure and will remain for the duration of cattle grazing and the ground nesting bird season. Part of the permissive path through the centre of the heathland suffered erosion during the winter and is now closed to allow a period of recovery.

Nature Watch

The past month has delivered several weeks of warmer weather albeit with frosty nights. As a consequence wildlife has been more noticeable.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS

Chiffchaffs have returned from their winter habitat and have been seen and heard at Wet Wood, Old Peat Cuts, Wild Wood and Dragonfly Drop areas. Bramblings have also frequented Dragonfly Drop.

Several Crossbills were spotted in the north west of the site feeding on pine seeds.

Green Woodpeckers, Dartford Warblers and Stonechats have been seen and/or heard on the open heathland.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen and heard drumming throughout the Reserve thereby pronouncing their presence and claiming their territories.

The large flock of Siskin have returned to their breeding grounds in the north. A few remain and are still to be seen feeding in gardens in Hazel Drive.

Herons and Buzzards are regularly in flight over the Reserve.

Tit species are visiting bird boxes on site.

The Blue Tit observation has continued. The bird returns each night and roosts until first light but there is no sign of nest building.

The first bat activity reading was recorded on 15th March and nightly since.

Comma, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies seen along the Hazelwood/Hazel Drive fringe.

Bog Myrtle in flower, also Catkins showing, viewed from the boardwalk. Primroses in flower in Wet Wood as is Gorse on the heath.

Again, no recordings of frogs, toads or their spawn this year.

Nature Fact

Frogs lay their spawn in shallow, still water forming large clumps of eggs which rapidly swell as they absorb water. Toads tend to spawn in deeper water, forming ropes of eggs which wind round plant stems.