Another warm dry month with days of prolonged sunshine. The airwaves were full of bird song and the warmth bought forth a multitude of wildlife.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Hooded Crows, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chiffchaffs, Pair of Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Blackcaps, Song Thrushes, Pair of Mistle Thrush, Goldcrests, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Coal/Blue/Great/Long Tailed Tits, Pair of Stonechats and Dartford Warblers, Tree Pipits, a Cuckoo heard calling from beyond the north of the Reserve.
Plants/Trees: Gorse, Violets, Primrose, Flowering Currant, Rowan all in flower.
Butterflies/Moths: Large/Small White, Orange Tip, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Heath Moth.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Small Red Damselfly.
Beetles: Green Tiger Beetle, Ground Beetle, Gorse Weevil, 7 Spot Ladybird, 20 Spot Ladybird, Burying Beetle.
Bugs: Gorse Shield Bug, Pine Cone Bug, Common Flower Bug, Mirid Bug, Ground Hopper, Bristletail, Springtail.
Spiders: Clubiona corticalis, Zora spinimana, Crab Spider, Wolf Spider, Hunting Spider, Money Spider, Raft Spider, Pirate Spider.
Insects: Owl Midge, Black-banded Spider Wasp, Common Wasp, Nomad Bee, St. Mark’s Fly.
Reptiles: Adders, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms (legless Lizard) Common Lizards.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Moles, Roe Deer, Wood Mice, Pipistrelle Bats.
After returning from Africa, arriving in mid-April, three singing male Tree Pipits plus several females were heard and seen - the highest number since our monitors have been recording.
A marked increase in numbers of singing male Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps on the perimeter of the Reserve.
Pipistrelle Bats recorded flying at dusk from the second week in April.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Nature Facts
Fox cubs emerged from the Earth. Bats awoke and fed at night. Young Squirrels first emerged and adults began a Spring moult. Tadpoles continued to hatch and grow. Resident birds were actively pairing, mating and nesting. In some cases, early nesting Robins and Blackbirds had young fledging at the end of April.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Nature Notes March
A fine, dry and mild month, with plenty of warm sunny days. The clock adjustment has given us extra light in the evenings to enjoy the abundant bird song.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Hooded Crows, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Robins, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great Tits & Long Tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers.
Plants: Gorse and Broom in flower, Hazel catkins.
Butterflies: Brimstones, Peacock.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Pond Skaters.
Reptiles: Adder, Grass Snake.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.
Good news with the sightings of pairs of both Stonechats and Dartford Warblers after the harsh weather this past winter.
Four Mallard Ducks in flight over the site.
A pair of Bullfinch along the Hazelwood path west.
Both Adders and Grass Snakes have emerged from hibernation, finding warm banks and paths to bask in the sunshine.
A great deal of drumming from the Great Spotted Woodpecker, proclaiming rights to a territory, and laughter sound from the Green Woodpecker.
Many of the bird boxes now have Blue/Coal/Great Tits in residence.
The streams and pools are now showing life with Pond Skaters on the move.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Hooded Crows, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Robins, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great Tits & Long Tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers.
Plants: Gorse and Broom in flower, Hazel catkins.
Butterflies: Brimstones, Peacock.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Pond Skaters.
Reptiles: Adder, Grass Snake.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.
Good news with the sightings of pairs of both Stonechats and Dartford Warblers after the harsh weather this past winter.
Four Mallard Ducks in flight over the site.
A pair of Bullfinch along the Hazelwood path west.
Both Adders and Grass Snakes have emerged from hibernation, finding warm banks and paths to bask in the sunshine.
A great deal of drumming from the Great Spotted Woodpecker, proclaiming rights to a territory, and laughter sound from the Green Woodpecker.
Many of the bird boxes now have Blue/Coal/Great Tits in residence.
The streams and pools are now showing life with Pond Skaters on the move.
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.
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.
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.
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