Thursday, 3 March 2011
Nature Facts
During February, Blackbirds and Song Thrush males begin singing to attract mates. Bats were still hibernating having a few fat reserves left. The vixen Fox ended the main travelling time and started to look for a breeding earth. Frogs started to move off to their breeding ponds. Grey Squirrel females refurbished or built new litter dreys. First litters may have been born in February.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Nature Notes January
Harsh weather conditions throughout the month. Cold days and nights at the beginning of the month, moving into a period of heavy rain and strong winds, closing with dry conditions with a strong north easterly wind. Another quiet month for observations on the Reserve.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Sparrowhawk, Black Headed Gulls, Buzzards, Heron, Jays, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinch, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Redwings, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Goldcrests, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap. A Snipe was seen on the north west of the site. A male Blackcap and a male Bullfinch were both seen along Hazelwood west path.
Plants: Gorse in flower. Hazels showing catkins.
Mammals: Fox, Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.
No Frogs or Toads seen as yet.
Fresh mole hills are along the Hazelwood woodland, indicating that moles are fairly active in their movements during January.
The repaired and replaced nest boxes were re-installed on the reserve during January. Many boxes are providing safe protective winter roosting at night for the Tit species. Many birds are already presenting bird song to attract mates, with many species having been seen flying in pairs and visiting boxes during the day.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Sparrowhawk, Black Headed Gulls, Buzzards, Heron, Jays, Great Spotted/Green Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinch, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Redwings, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Goldcrests, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap. A Snipe was seen on the north west of the site. A male Blackcap and a male Bullfinch were both seen along Hazelwood west path.
Plants: Gorse in flower. Hazels showing catkins.
Mammals: Fox, Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.
No Frogs or Toads seen as yet.
Fresh mole hills are along the Hazelwood woodland, indicating that moles are fairly active in their movements during January.
The repaired and replaced nest boxes were re-installed on the reserve during January. Many boxes are providing safe protective winter roosting at night for the Tit species. Many birds are already presenting bird song to attract mates, with many species having been seen flying in pairs and visiting boxes during the day.
Nature Facts
Squirrels have been fully reproductively active. This has been the main time for mating chases. Frogs are still in hibernation, but awake for short spells if the temperature rises. Bats are still hibernating, using up fat reserves. Foxes start the mating season. Holly and Ivy berries became an important food source for Blackbird and Song Thrush.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Nature Watch December
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.
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.
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