Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Site Management
Much of the work recently has been done by the cattle. You may have noticed that the grass this year seems less vigorous within the grazing unit. This is due to the cattle grazing it down and creating lawn like areas in places. This allows light to reach the soil giving the heather and more delicate seedlings the chance to germinate.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Site Management
May's volunteer work party had no attendees unfortunately as many of the group were on holiday or had conflicting plans. However, Ranger staff removed the remaining debris on the dry heath previously raked up by volunteers. This will allow light and warmth to the ground so that seedling heather can germinate. June's work party saw some sensitive clearance of small invasive birch scrub in the bog area. It is hoped the grazing cattle will keep any new shoots in check.
Event
The 3rd West Moors Brownies paid another visit to Slop Bog whereupon Ranger staff led a reptile walk and pond dip. Over 20 Brownies were lucky to see Grass Snakes and and the pond dip resulted in close up views of dragonfly larvae and young newts. An underwater camera gave a tadpoles eye view of life in the bog.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Nature Watch
Several weeks of fine, warm weather resulted in water evaporation from the acid peat pools. They were partially replenished as a result of recent thunderstorms.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood - Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Willow Warbler, Wrens, Bullfinch, Swifts, Speckled Wood/Painted Lady butterflies, Pipistrelle bats.
Silver Studded Heath - Swifts, Broad Bodied/Large Hawker/Common Hawker/Emperor dragonflies, Small Red/Azure Blue damselflies, Painted Lady butterflies.
Western Enclosure - Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Jays, Pipistrelle/1 Daubenton's bats, Fox, Broad Bodied/Four Spot Chaser dragonflies, Small Red/Azure Blue damselflies.
Beaufoys Plantation - Mistle Thrush, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Pipistrelle/1 Daubenton's bats.
Dragonfly Drop - 3 young Grass snakes, Jays, Green Woodpecker,Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush.
Wild Wood - Buzzards, Chaffinches, Chiffchaff.
Wet Wood - Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Wrens, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Roe deer.
Beaufoys Bog - Stonechat.
Kingfisher Creek - Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits,Treecreeper, Nuthatch,Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush,Speckled Wood butterflies, Large Red/Azure Blue damselflies, Female Roe deer, Smooth snake.
Nightjar Twirl/Boardwalk - Four Spot & Broad Chaser dragonflies, Azure Blue damselflies, Common Lizards.
Although no Common Lizards have been seen by recorders or reported by visitors in other warm periods this year, two were observed on the 6th June, a noticeable drop on previous years.
There have been no recorded sightings of Raft Spiders as yet.
No sightings or the sound of Nightjar so far and no sign of Dartford Warblers in the past two months. On a more positive note, two singing male Tree Pipits are resident on site as are a number of Siskins which are likely to remain for the Summer in the pine trees bordering Hazelwood and Beaufoys Plantations. Many fledgling birds have been spotted over the past few weeks.
Regular Bat recordings have continued which has identified a Daubenton's Bat, picked up on the detector on a different frequency to the Pipistrelles.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood - Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Willow Warbler, Wrens, Bullfinch, Swifts, Speckled Wood/Painted Lady butterflies, Pipistrelle bats.
Silver Studded Heath - Swifts, Broad Bodied/Large Hawker/Common Hawker/Emperor dragonflies, Small Red/Azure Blue damselflies, Painted Lady butterflies.
Western Enclosure - Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Jays, Pipistrelle/1 Daubenton's bats, Fox, Broad Bodied/Four Spot Chaser dragonflies, Small Red/Azure Blue damselflies.
Beaufoys Plantation - Mistle Thrush, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Pipistrelle/1 Daubenton's bats.
Dragonfly Drop - 3 young Grass snakes, Jays, Green Woodpecker,Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush.
Wild Wood - Buzzards, Chaffinches, Chiffchaff.
Wet Wood - Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Wrens, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Roe deer.
Beaufoys Bog - Stonechat.
Kingfisher Creek - Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Long Tailed/Great/Blue/Coal Tits,Treecreeper, Nuthatch,Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush,Speckled Wood butterflies, Large Red/Azure Blue damselflies, Female Roe deer, Smooth snake.
Nightjar Twirl/Boardwalk - Four Spot & Broad Chaser dragonflies, Azure Blue damselflies, Common Lizards.
Although no Common Lizards have been seen by recorders or reported by visitors in other warm periods this year, two were observed on the 6th June, a noticeable drop on previous years.
There have been no recorded sightings of Raft Spiders as yet.
No sightings or the sound of Nightjar so far and no sign of Dartford Warblers in the past two months. On a more positive note, two singing male Tree Pipits are resident on site as are a number of Siskins which are likely to remain for the Summer in the pine trees bordering Hazelwood and Beaufoys Plantations. Many fledgling birds have been spotted over the past few weeks.
Regular Bat recordings have continued which has identified a Daubenton's Bat, picked up on the detector on a different frequency to the Pipistrelles.
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.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
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
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.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
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.
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.
Site Management
The felling of selected trees last Autumn created new clearings within the enclosure. Ground debris is now being cleared from these areas to enable the heather to recover and promote growth.
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