Nature Fact

Swifts are the most aerial of all birds. They usually land only to nest. The legs are very short, all toes point forward and the claws are curved to enable the bird to cling to vertical surfaces. The Swift is unable to walk, movement is restricted to shuffling within the nest chamber. This amazing bird is the only one known to sleep, mate and feed on the wing.

Site Management

Cattle watch is proving a success. A number of Slop Bog visitors are involved in regular checking on the well being of the eight Dexter cattle on site.

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.