Nature Fact

The Bullfinch prefers a woodland habitat, especially coniferous forest. They rarely move more than a few miles from home territory. Adult Bullfinch with their short, stubby bill is ideally suited to eating buds of trees and shrubs although they feed their nestlings on large quantities of insects and spiders as well as seeds as the young grow. Many of these beautiful birds were trapped or shot to prevent damage to orchards in Southern England.

Nature Watch

The weather during this period has been cold and mostly dry with a few snow flurries and the occasional milder day. Much of the wildlife which frequents heath land and the perimeter woodland has spilt into surrounding areas with more birds visiting gardens.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Jays, Buzzards, Black headed Gulls, Heron, Redwings, Fieldfare, Pheasant, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Stonechats, Crows, Wood Pigeon, Siskin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Blue/Great/Coal/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds and a group of Mallard Ducks flying in formation over the site. A small number of house sparrows have been seen along the fence line of Hazelwood/Hazel Drive. On the open bog good numbers of Snipe are still feeding. Grazing by the cattle last year has opened up the tussocky grass providing excellent conditions for this secretive bird.

The Great Spotted Woodpeckers have paired and are often seen in each others company.

A trial of feeding the Stonechats with mealworms during the harsher weather conditions has proved sucessful. Suitable winter food continues to be supplied at the feeding stations for the woodland birds.

Blue Tits continue to night roost in the camera nest boxes.

One of the earliest ground nesting birds on open heath is the Woodlark which start singing from the tops of scattered pines in February. Recordings of this bird are rare at Slop Bog so please let the Ranger staff know if you are lucky enough to see or hear one (telephone 01425 483809; e-mail w.holland@dorset.gov.uk).

Nature Fact

Birds keep warm in cold weather by fluffing out their feathers. This traps an insulating layer of warm air. Some species huddle together forming roosts thereby creating a collective body temperature. During severe cold spells constant access to food is essential as an underweight bird is more likely to perish than a well fed one.

Site Management

Dorset Countryside staff and volunteers have been controlling scrub on the bog. Scrub in itself a valuable habitat for invertebrates and birds but left unchecked it spread rapidly and shades out light demanding species at ground level. An extra weekend work party in January went a long way in helping with 9 volunteers clearing willow and bramble scrub. Another part of wet heath in the Eastern enclosure has had birch growth reduced. This is an area Marsh Gentians flower in late Summer.

Events Sunday 24th January

"Conservation at work" 10am - 1pm
Help Dorset Countryside staff with practical conservation. No experience needed. Tools and gloves provided. We will be having a bonfire whilst clearing branches left from recent tree felling. Wear strong shoes and old clothes that embers from the fire won't spoil. Toasted tea cakes likely! Follow signs from West Moors Road and Redwood drive entrances.

"Winter trees and working woods" 2pm - 3pm. No need to book.
Adults £2.50 Children £1.50 (free for those "Conservation at work" helpers).
Spend an hour looking at some of our trees and shrubs in more detail. Learn to recognise some of our common species and find out how these trees have been used throughout history in construction, medicine, crafts and even the kitchen! Explore the folklore and mythology behind the "Lady of the Woods", the "Poisonberry" and the "Witches Aspirin". Meet at West Moors entrance.

Nature Watch

The weather for the past month saw heavy rain in the first two weeks deteriorating thereafter to a cold period with sleet and snow fall. Icy conditions remain on the Reserve with the dug out peat channels frozen.

Sightings/Observations

Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Crows, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Long/Blue/Great/Coal Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Wrens, Goldcrests, Siskins, Redwings, Fieldfares, Stonechats, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and a Heron in flight over the Reserve. Food is being provided for the birds on the feeding tables at Wet Wood to support them through this very difficult period of severe weather conditions.
Flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares are again frequenting the Hazelwood area into Wet Wood and have been sighted in the gardens of Hazel Drive.
Many tracks of Roe Deer and Foxes have been found in the snow with strong scent markings by foxes.
Blue Tits continue to night roost in two separate camera boxes on the Hazelwood/Hazel Drive fringe.

Nature Fact

Both Redwings and Fieldfares move to the South of England, usually from Scandinavia. Winter flocks roam widely with migrants wintering in different areas in different years. It has been found that the oldest ringed bird of both species have lived for over 18 years.

Nature Watch

Heavy rain and strong winds predominated throughout the period. Progressing into December, the weather turned colder with a few bright days.

SIGHTINGS/OBSERVATIONS
Some surprising reports of reptiles being active during mild spells. A Slow Worm was seen on the afternoon of the 11th November. A female Adder was spotted by dog walkers on two separate occasions in the same area during the 3rd week of November. Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinch, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Redwings, Siskins, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Long-Tailed/Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Wrens, Goldcrest, Magpies, Crows, Jays, Sparrowhawk and a Cormorant in flight over the Reserve. The wet bog remains an important habitat for Snipe and 10 of these hard to spot birds were seen.
Two Roe Deer were observed grazing in the Wet Wood at dawn.
During the wet, milder conditions many fungi have continued to appear, one being Tricholoma Aurantium (Plums and Custard), which will deteriorate quickly if the cold and/or frosty weather continues.

Nature Facts

The Goldfinch is one of the smaller finches found in Britain. It prefers to mainly live in small groups known as "charms" of Goldfinches. A "charm" will rove over the countryside twittering loudly whilst busily working their way from one patch of seed heads to another. They are often seen in garden locations on provided seed feeders.

Adders are the only snake whose range extends as far North as the Arctic Circle. Despite being better adapted to colder conditions than other species, it is still unusual to see them during their typical hibernation period of October to March.

Site Management

The nest boxes have been inspected for use/replacement/repairs. Of the 36 installed boxes, 21 had been occupied for nesting, 13 were unused, 1 is missing/removed and one was not inspected. Any repairs and replacements are planned to be carried out before the next breeding season. At the same time of the inspection, squares of white paper were placed on the floors of most boxes so any deposits will confirm birds are using them for overnight roosting. Two camera boxes on the fence line of Hazelwood/Hazel Drive are both occupies each night by Blue Tits.

Woodland management along the edge of Hazelwood continues. Dealing with the branches and logs remains the biggest challenge. Why not join us for the CHRISTMAS WORK PARTY on 29th DECEMBER 11am-3pm to help out?

Leaflet dispensers have been fixed to the notice boards at the Redwood Drive and West Moors Road entrances. Within the dispenser there is a VISITORS BOOK for the recording of wildlife sightings and comments. Dog waste bags are also available.

Nature Notes

On the heath and bog, reptiles now retreat to their underground Winter homes called hibernacula. The occasional mild and sunny day may allow for some activity.

Also making use of any warmer days are some of the butterflies. Many species overwinter as eggs, laid on the caterpillar food plants. A few such as the Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell can overwinter as adults and will often shelter hidden in garden sheds or garages. Before hibernating, they build up their food reserves and can be seen feeding on late flowering plants such as Ivy. If you have Ivy on trees in your garden think twice before removing it. Contrary to popular belief it is not a parasite and does not "strangle" trees. For birds and insects it provides all year round shelter, a late nectar source and berries as food. Nesting birds and even bats have been known to use it as a home.

Out on the bog you may be lucky enough to glimpse a Snipe. This is a well camouflaged wading bird that spends most of its time feeding on wet ground. Usually only noticed when disturbed, look for the extra long bill as an identifying feature. Also look out for incoming migrants such as Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling, Redpole and Siskin.

The occasional dragonfly may still be seen along the boardwalk, usually resting on the boards or rails, trying to absorb the little warmth they can from the weak sunshine. These insects rely for food on new larvae emerging from the bog pools each year. The few adults you now see will gradually die over the coming weeks.

Sightings

Large White and Peacock butterflies, Common Darter dragonflies, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Jays, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest and Snipe.

The damp, warmer weather is ideal for fungi and more than 50 varieties have been recorded including:- Fly Agaric, Shallow Pored Bolete, Amethyst Deceiver, Ochre Brittegill, The Blusher, Spotted Toughshank, Earpick Fungus, Birch Mazegill, Mottled Egghead, Safron Milkcap, White Coral Fungus, Surprise Webcap, Grooved Bonnet, Sulpher Tuft, Hoof Fungus, Brown Pingill. Other species yet to be confirmed:-
Clitocybe Gilva, Hemimycena Pseudogracilis, Mycena Umbellifera, Cortinarius, Mycena Megaspore, Panaeolus Acuminatus and Hebeloma Sinapizans.

Gorse is now showing a few flowers.

A Slow worm was spotted by Ranger staff on 26th October.

Monitoring of Bats during the last month has continued but no movement has been recorded.