Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Nature Fact
Fungi differ from plants, which manufacture their food, and animals, which ingest and internally digest their food, in that they secrete enzymes and digest their food externally. They represent a separate and very large kingdom of their own.
Work on site
Work on site has included the removal of dead and dangerous trees or limbs next to footpaths. Where possible Dorset Countryside will leave standing dead trees for insects, fungi and all who feed on them - nature's takeaway restaurant for species such as the Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Where dead trees and branches pose an obvious hazard to people using the Reserve, they have to be removed. Contractors will be doing more branch pruning over coming weeks so please comply with all signage.
Woodland management work on the edge of Hazel Wood is also ongoing. This work will encourage regeneration of a greater diversity of trees and shrubs in place of the dominant pines being felled Increased light levels will encourage wild flowers.
Other work undertaken include mowing and pruning footpaths and ongoing invasive/exotic plant control
Woodland management work on the edge of Hazel Wood is also ongoing. This work will encourage regeneration of a greater diversity of trees and shrubs in place of the dominant pines being felled Increased light levels will encourage wild flowers.
Other work undertaken include mowing and pruning footpaths and ongoing invasive/exotic plant control
Friday, 16 October 2009
Nature Watch
Dry weather in the latter half of September turned to a short wet spell at the beginning of October. A period with very few sightings on recording visits
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Small Red damselflies, Southern Hawker dragonflies.
Hazelwood: Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Nuthatch, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Long Tailed/Blue/Great Tits, Wrens, Jays, Buzzards, Blackcap, Willow Warblers.
Central heath: Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Buzzards.
The screeching of a Tawny Owl heard in Hazelwood West.
The Summer visiting Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are now leaving and beginning their long migratory flight to warmer climates. The flock of Siskins which were resident on site during the Summer have now moved on.
Monitoring of Bats on site during the last month has continued to show readings of Pipistelle.
Fungi is now on the increase aided by the damp, warm weather conditions.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Small Red damselflies, Southern Hawker dragonflies.
Hazelwood: Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Nuthatch, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Long Tailed/Blue/Great Tits, Wrens, Jays, Buzzards, Blackcap, Willow Warblers.
Central heath: Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Buzzards.
The screeching of a Tawny Owl heard in Hazelwood West.
The Summer visiting Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are now leaving and beginning their long migratory flight to warmer climates. The flock of Siskins which were resident on site during the Summer have now moved on.
Monitoring of Bats on site during the last month has continued to show readings of Pipistelle.
Fungi is now on the increase aided by the damp, warm weather conditions.
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Thursday, 17 September 2009
Nature Watch
Having experienced weeks of wet, windy weather, this has finally given way to warmer dry days.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood: Adder, Grass Snake, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Long Tailed Tits, Speckled Wood/ Painted Lady/ Comma/ Large White/ Peacock butterflies.
Wet Wood: Song Thrush, Long Tailed Tits, Common Frog, Speckled Wood butterflies.
Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Large White butterflies.
Open Heathland: Kestrel, Buzzards, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, flocks of House Martins and Swallows in flight, Silver Studded Blue butterflies.
A Tawny Owl has been heard calling from Hazelwood and to the west of the site.
Readings using a bat detector have continued at dusk. Pipistrelle Bats have been recorded feeding in Hazelwood, Wet Wood bridge east and across the open heath.
With the approach of Autumn, nesting boxes are now being selected for Winter roosting. A Blue Tit is already in residence in a camera nesting box situated on the fringe of Hazelwood, arriving before dark at about 7pm each evening.
Over the past month a weekly snake survey has been carried out by a Guardian volunteer who is licensed to do so. In total, 9 Adders, 19 Grass Snakes and 15 Slow Worms have been counted. The survey is undertaken at specified sites throughout the Reserve away from the main paths and tracks.
For some years now the Guardians have been monitoring butterfly numbers, particularly the Silver Studded Blue. In Great Britain SSBs are classified as nationally scarce. They are typically found on heathland that has not become too overgrown. Bell heather is a favourite nectar source. This year has been the best yet in terms of total butterfly numbers at Slop Bog including the Silver Studded Blue. It is not easy to ascribe a specific reason for this but the grazing cattle may well be a contributory factor.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Hazelwood: Adder, Grass Snake, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Long Tailed Tits, Speckled Wood/ Painted Lady/ Comma/ Large White/ Peacock butterflies.
Wet Wood: Song Thrush, Long Tailed Tits, Common Frog, Speckled Wood butterflies.
Boardwalk: Common Lizards, Large White butterflies.
Open Heathland: Kestrel, Buzzards, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, flocks of House Martins and Swallows in flight, Silver Studded Blue butterflies.
A Tawny Owl has been heard calling from Hazelwood and to the west of the site.
Readings using a bat detector have continued at dusk. Pipistrelle Bats have been recorded feeding in Hazelwood, Wet Wood bridge east and across the open heath.
With the approach of Autumn, nesting boxes are now being selected for Winter roosting. A Blue Tit is already in residence in a camera nesting box situated on the fringe of Hazelwood, arriving before dark at about 7pm each evening.
Over the past month a weekly snake survey has been carried out by a Guardian volunteer who is licensed to do so. In total, 9 Adders, 19 Grass Snakes and 15 Slow Worms have been counted. The survey is undertaken at specified sites throughout the Reserve away from the main paths and tracks.
For some years now the Guardians have been monitoring butterfly numbers, particularly the Silver Studded Blue. In Great Britain SSBs are classified as nationally scarce. They are typically found on heathland that has not become too overgrown. Bell heather is a favourite nectar source. This year has been the best yet in terms of total butterfly numbers at Slop Bog including the Silver Studded Blue. It is not easy to ascribe a specific reason for this but the grazing cattle may well be a contributory factor.
Nature Fact
Many people think Tawny Owls call with a 'tu-whit,tu-who' sound. What we hear is not a single owl but two birds. One of them gives out an eerie 'hoo, hooo, hoo-oo-oo-oo' call and the other, probably a female, answers with a sharp 'ke-wick'. Both sexes hoot and both call 'ke-wick' but these sounds are never uttered together by the same bird.
Site Management
Work on site has included repairs to the livestock fencing. Regular checks of the whole fence line reveal any weaknesses such as rotten posts which have to be dealt with straight away.
Now the bird nesting season has finished, woodland edge management work has begun on the belt of tress that stretch the length of the site. This will include the creation of 2 'bays' to break up the straight edge and the coppicing of a small area of Birch. Rather than reducing the woodland, this work will improve it by allowing regeneration of healthy saplings to replace poor quality trees. This will produce a dense screen of regrowth and allow wild flowers to benefit from the increased light levels.
Now the bird nesting season has finished, woodland edge management work has begun on the belt of tress that stretch the length of the site. This will include the creation of 2 'bays' to break up the straight edge and the coppicing of a small area of Birch. Rather than reducing the woodland, this work will improve it by allowing regeneration of healthy saplings to replace poor quality trees. This will produce a dense screen of regrowth and allow wild flowers to benefit from the increased light levels.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Nature Watch
The weather during July to mid August has been mostly wet, only improving in the latter weeks, giving a quiet period for observing the wildlife on site. Along the Hazelwood fringe, families of Tit species have been very noticeable together with adult Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song Thrush, Wrens, Blackbirds and Robins feeding their young. Large flocks of Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Siskin can be seen along the fence line. Goldcrests are again beginning to frequent the woodland floor. A Sparrowhawk has been observed hunting in the Hazelwood woodland. Not much activity out on the open heathland with only a few sightings of the Stonechat family, Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Magpies, Jays, Crows and Buzzards. Already, the song birds are in good voice claiming feeding territories in preparation for Autumn and Winter.
With the warm, wet weather, a number of fungi have developed including Puffballs.
Butterflies recorded in this period have included Peacock, Painted Lady, Large White, Comma, Brimstone, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Common Blue and Silver Studied Blue.
Four-Spotted and Broad-Bodied dragonflies, Small Red, Large Red and Banded Demoiselle damselflies have been sighted.
A small number of Common Lizards have been seen on the boardwalk as has the first Raft Spider.
With the warm, wet weather, a number of fungi have developed including Puffballs.
Butterflies recorded in this period have included Peacock, Painted Lady, Large White, Comma, Brimstone, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Common Blue and Silver Studied Blue.
Four-Spotted and Broad-Bodied dragonflies, Small Red, Large Red and Banded Demoiselle damselflies have been sighted.
A small number of Common Lizards have been seen on the boardwalk as has the first Raft Spider.
Nature Fact
The Peacock butterfly has a spectacular defence mechanism which it uses if it is disturbed from rest. Opening its wings, it creates an alarming hissing noise as the front and hind wings rub across each other revealing huge "eye-spots". A small bird, startled by the hiss and then confronted by the large owl like eyes, will usually fly off leaving the butterfly to go back to sleep.
Site Management
The July Guardians work party cut back vegetation overhanging footpaths and the boardwalk. As a consequence, previously hidden bog pools have been opened up which are ideal for pond dipping. Scrub has been cleared and extra fencing erected at the eastern end of the boardwalk giving a new area for dipping in Kingfisher Creek.
Dorset Countryside staff have been busy keeping on top of invasive vegetation and garden exotics which are spreading on site. Herbicides are used carefully to kill only troublesome plants in favour of our rarer wild flowers.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the Nature Trail plaques have been changed. This gives the opportunity for new brass rubbings to be done at each location post along the trail.
Dorset Countryside staff have been busy keeping on top of invasive vegetation and garden exotics which are spreading on site. Herbicides are used carefully to kill only troublesome plants in favour of our rarer wild flowers.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the Nature Trail plaques have been changed. This gives the opportunity for new brass rubbings to be done at each location post along the trail.
Slop Bog Celebration Event
Saturday 1st August turned out to be very wet but the event was well attended despite the inclement weather. Pond dipping was a success and an underwater camera gave a subterranean view of life below the surface. Studies were made of the 40 different species caught in a moth trap over the two previous nights. There were displays by the Moth Group, Dorset Countryside, The Urban Heath Partnership, Butterfly Conservation and the Slop Bog Guardians. A besom maker also demonstrated his skills. The Photographic Competition generated a good number of entries providing some wonderful images taken on site. The overall winner was a photograph of a male Crossbill taken by Keith Wilcox shown above.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Event at Slop Bog Saturday 1st Agust 2009
FREE NATURE FUN AFTERNOON
* Moth trap opening 12.00pm
* Traditional Crafts
* Pond dipping with underwater camera
* Wildlife Guided walk 1.00pm
* Wildlife information and displays
* Refreshments (small charge)
* Results/Awards of photographic competition 3.00pm
* Tombola
* Meet some of our reptiles
Well behaved dogs welcome.
Children to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No event parking available. Please have consideration for our neighbours.
* Moth trap opening 12.00pm
* Traditional Crafts
* Pond dipping with underwater camera
* Wildlife Guided walk 1.00pm
* Wildlife information and displays
* Refreshments (small charge)
* Results/Awards of photographic competition 3.00pm
* Tombola
* Meet some of our reptiles
Well behaved dogs welcome.
Children to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No event parking available. Please have consideration for our neighbours.
Nature Watch
Fine weather with occasional thunderstorms for this period.
The ongoing Butterfly Transects undertaken indicate that, over the last 3 weeks, numbers of Silver Studded Blues have increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
A Tawny Owl reported calling along the west side of Slop Bog.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Kingfisher Creek: China Mark Moths, Large Red/Small/Azure/Azure Blue Damselflies, Four Spot Chasers/Broad Bodied/Common Hawker/Emperor Dragonflies.
Western Enclosure: Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Green Woodpeckers, Fox, Broad Bodied/Four Spot Dragonflies, Small Red Damselflies.
Beaufoys Bog: Stonechats.
Wild Wood: Buzzards, Chiffchaffs, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Hazelwood: Siskins, Wrens, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Songthrush, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chiffchaff, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzard, Magpies, Jays.
Wet Wood: Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Songthrush, Chiffchaff, Jays, Blackcaps, Male and Female Roe Deer.
Nightjar Twirl: Grass Snakes, Azure Blue Damselflies.
Eastern Enclosure: Adder, Tree Pipit, Jay, Green Woodpecker.
Boardwalk: Two Common Lizards, Keeled Skipper/Four Spot Chaser Dragonflies.
Flowering Plants: Common Cudweed, Dwarf Gorse, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Bog Asphodel, Cat's Ear, Tormentil, Cinquefoil, Hedge Woundwort, Hedge Bindweed, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Common Vetch, Black Medick, Smooth-sow Thistle, Ragwort, Groundsel, Herb Robert, Marsh Beadstraw, Water Lily, Sheep's Sorrel, Common Chickweed, Wall Speedwell, Herb Bennet, Enchanter's Nightshade, Stinging Nettle, Nipple Wort, Smooth Hawksbeard, Curled Dock.
The ongoing Butterfly Transects undertaken indicate that, over the last 3 weeks, numbers of Silver Studded Blues have increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
A Tawny Owl reported calling along the west side of Slop Bog.
SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Kingfisher Creek: China Mark Moths, Large Red/Small/Azure/Azure Blue Damselflies, Four Spot Chasers/Broad Bodied/Common Hawker/Emperor Dragonflies.
Western Enclosure: Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Green Woodpeckers, Fox, Broad Bodied/Four Spot Dragonflies, Small Red Damselflies.
Beaufoys Bog: Stonechats.
Wild Wood: Buzzards, Chiffchaffs, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Hazelwood: Siskins, Wrens, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Songthrush, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chiffchaff, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzard, Magpies, Jays.
Wet Wood: Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Songthrush, Chiffchaff, Jays, Blackcaps, Male and Female Roe Deer.
Nightjar Twirl: Grass Snakes, Azure Blue Damselflies.
Eastern Enclosure: Adder, Tree Pipit, Jay, Green Woodpecker.
Boardwalk: Two Common Lizards, Keeled Skipper/Four Spot Chaser Dragonflies.
Flowering Plants: Common Cudweed, Dwarf Gorse, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Bog Asphodel, Cat's Ear, Tormentil, Cinquefoil, Hedge Woundwort, Hedge Bindweed, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Common Vetch, Black Medick, Smooth-sow Thistle, Ragwort, Groundsel, Herb Robert, Marsh Beadstraw, Water Lily, Sheep's Sorrel, Common Chickweed, Wall Speedwell, Herb Bennet, Enchanter's Nightshade, Stinging Nettle, Nipple Wort, Smooth Hawksbeard, Curled Dock.
Nature Watch
Grass Snakes are excellent swimmers and can stay under water for up to one hour at a time
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