Nature Facts

Grey Squirrels dispersed their young. Fox families broke up and spread out into new territories. Bats searched for suitable hibernation sites. Frogs began hibernation as the weather became cooler.

Nature Watch September

The majority of September was cool with heavy showers. The last week changed dramatically with the highest temperatures for that time of year ever recorded. Not much of significance has been reported on the Reserve during the month.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Magpies, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Grrenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Swallows, House Martins, Swifts.
Reptiles/Amphibians: Common Lizards.
Butterflies: Large White, Comma, Peacock, Painted Lady, Red Admiral.
Plants in flower: Heather/Ling, Low growing Gorse, Cut-leaved Geranium.
Mammals: Wood Mouse, Moles active, Grey Squirrels, Fox, Pipistrelle Bats.

Migratory birds such as Swallows, House Martins, and Swifts were seen in flight over the site at various times during the month.

A significant lack of Dragonflies and Damselflies this year on site.

Birds are now visiting bird boxes on site, staking claim for night roosting during the Winter period.

Nature Facts

By September adult Foxes and cubs look similar. Bats began the mating season. Young Froglets ate greedily to gain body reserves for the winter period. Summer produced young Squirrel juveniles became independent

Work Party Sunday 25th September

10am - 3.30pm. Meet at Redwood Drive entrance.

We will be burning brush created from recent felling on the dry heath restoration area, loading/removing logs as well as possibly tackling some scrub elsewhere on
site. Please wear old clothes that will not burn. It will probably be advisable to bring a pair of wellies - if there are enough of us we may venture into some of the scrub near the boardwalk. If staying all day bring some lunch, but a drink and refreshments will be provided.

Nature Notes August

August brought heavy rainfall with winds and fluctuating temperatures. A few warmer bright days were experienced towards the end of the month. Another month not providing much to report, although a good selection of Fungi was brought forth by the warm damp conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jackdaws, Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Willow Warblers, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Dunnocks, Wrens, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Blackcap.
Reptiles: Adder, Common Lizard.
Butterflies: Large Whites, Grayling, Peacock.
Plants in flower: Common Helleborine, Cut-leaved Geranium, Heather/Ling, Low growing Gorse, perfume from Bog-Myrtle.
Mammals: Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels.
Fungi: Yellow Swamp Brittlegill Russula claroflava, Paxillus atrotomentosus, Paxillus involutus, Brown Birch Bolete, Leccinum scabrum, Willow Bracket, Phellinus orgniari, Lactarious quieticolor, Green Brittlegill, Russula aeruginea, Sickner, Russula emetic, Primrose Brittlegill, Russula saronia, Blucher, Amanita rubescens, White Knight, Tricholoma stiparophyllom, Yellow Staghorn, Calocera viscose, Collared Earthstar Geastrum, Cream Pinkgill, Eantoloma sericellum pos. Russet Toughshank, Collybia dryophila, Collared Parachute Marasmius rotula.