Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Nature Facts
During March, Frog spawning took place with tadpoles beginning to hatch. Grey Squirrels gave birth to their main Spring litter. Bats were beginning to be active. The vixen Fox gave birth after a 53 day pregnancy.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Nature Notes
Leaving the cold spell of weather behind that January brought us, February enjoyed milder conditions with several sunny Spring like days. The light in the mornings and evenings are beginning to improve.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Magpies, Hooded Crows, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest.
Plants: Gorse in flower, Hazel Catkins showing.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Moles, Grey Squirrel.
Butterflies: Brimstone.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees.
A pair of Mallard Ducks were seen in flight over the Reserve. Definite signs of courtship by the birds, plus an increase in bird song. Birds showing an interest in the nest boxes on site during the day.
Brimstone Butterflies and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees were tempted into flight on warmer days.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Magpies, Hooded Crows, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest.
Plants: Gorse in flower, Hazel Catkins showing.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Moles, Grey Squirrel.
Butterflies: Brimstone.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees.
A pair of Mallard Ducks were seen in flight over the Reserve. Definite signs of courtship by the birds, plus an increase in bird song. Birds showing an interest in the nest boxes on site during the day.
Brimstone Butterflies and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees were tempted into flight on warmer days.
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.
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