The year ended with harsh wintry conditions namely heavy snow, frosts and hard icy ground. Wildlife in general has struggled against the elements with every daylight hour taken seeking out food. Many species have taken to feeding in gardens at the perimeter of the site. The feeding stations on site at Kingfisher Creek have been stocked with suitable food during this wintry weather,
SIGHTINGS
Plants: Gorse in flower.
Birds: Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long Tailed Tits, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Magpie, Crows, Wood Pigeons, Jays, Black-Headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskin, Reed Bunting. Redwing, Fieldfares.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Roe Deer.
No sightings of Stonechat or Dartford Warblers on the open heathland this month.
A pair of Heron have been seen flying along the tree canopy of Hazelwood at times, in addition to the single Heron.
A Reed Bunting has been heard, but not seen, at the end of the boardwalk, western end. This species has been seen in numbers at this location in the past.
Large flocks of both Redwing and Fieldfares, driven down from Scandinavia by the severe weather conditions, have been sighted along the Hazelwood tree line seeking fresh berries to eat.
Those nest boxes requiring maintenance following the survey were removed off site, repaired or replaced, and are awaiting relocation as soon as possible in January, weather permitting. Many Tit species are using the boxes at this time for sheltered overnight roosting.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Nature Facts
Foxes defend their territories as the mating season approaches. Young Grey Squirrels, near full size for those Spring born, may become reproductively active for next season. The Common Frog, although hibernating, would normally wake to feed for short periods during warm spells in December but the cold weather this year may well have stopped this happening.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Nature Watch November
Another quiet period for sightings on the Reserve.
Weather: Cold with night frosts, cold winds and snow flurries.
Sightings
Plants: Gorse.
Birds: Buzzard, Magpie, Crows, Wood Pigeons, Jays, Herring/Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Pied Wagtails, Siskin, Redwing.
A Heron has been seen regularly, flying along the south boundary.
Goldcrests have been sighted after a spell of absence.
A flock of Redwings, roosting in trees in Redwood Drive, have visited the site.
Mammals: Wood mice have been seen during the daytime searching for food as the wintry weather closed in.
The nest box survey was completed in November and last summers nesting material cleared out. Of the 37 boxes on site, 21 had evidence of having been used.
Weather: Cold with night frosts, cold winds and snow flurries.
Sightings
Plants: Gorse.
Birds: Buzzard, Magpie, Crows, Wood Pigeons, Jays, Herring/Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Pied Wagtails, Siskin, Redwing.
A Heron has been seen regularly, flying along the south boundary.
Goldcrests have been sighted after a spell of absence.
A flock of Redwings, roosting in trees in Redwood Drive, have visited the site.
Mammals: Wood mice have been seen during the daytime searching for food as the wintry weather closed in.
The nest box survey was completed in November and last summers nesting material cleared out. Of the 37 boxes on site, 21 had evidence of having been used.
Nature Facts
During November most Frogs begin hibernation. Some young animals may still have been hunting for food. Bats begin hibernation although there could have been some activity on warmer nights. Male Squirrels start to become reproductively active. Young adult Foxes take over the territories of dead or weak parents, or dig out their own earths.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Nature Watch October
Weather: A cold snap in the middle of October but the rest of the month was mainly mild with rain showers.
Sightings
Plants in flower: Gorse is now showing a few flowers.
Birds: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Crows, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Dartford Warbler, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.
There were fewer finds of fresh Fungi after mid-October, probably due to the cold period mid-month. The majority of the previous months Fungi is deteriorating because of the drop in temperature.
Many birds are now holding their own winter feeding territories, showing aggression to any other birds.
Good news on the sighting of a Dartford Warbler in the Eastern Enclosure as this specie has been absent for two Summers.
The Bat detector failed to record any movement during October.
During November, watch out for winter migrant birds such as Fieldfares, Redwing, Brambling and Siskin coming onto the Reserve to feed and shelter.
Sightings
Plants in flower: Gorse is now showing a few flowers.
Birds: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue/Great/Coal/Long Tailed Tits, Buzzards, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Crows, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Dartford Warbler, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.
There were fewer finds of fresh Fungi after mid-October, probably due to the cold period mid-month. The majority of the previous months Fungi is deteriorating because of the drop in temperature.
Many birds are now holding their own winter feeding territories, showing aggression to any other birds.
Good news on the sighting of a Dartford Warbler in the Eastern Enclosure as this specie has been absent for two Summers.
The Bat detector failed to record any movement during October.
During November, watch out for winter migrant birds such as Fieldfares, Redwing, Brambling and Siskin coming onto the Reserve to feed and shelter.
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