Nature Notes December

The continued unseasonal mild weather continued through December to the end of the year, with rain and strong winds and only a few cooler days and nights experienced.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Buzzards, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Siskin, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Mallard Ducks, Snipe.
Plants: Gorse in flower.
Fungi: A large selection brought forth by the continued mild damp weather.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Wood Mice, Roe Deer.

Again, a mild month produced many species of Fungi.
Four Mallard Ducks were spotted flying over the site.
A Snipe flew up from near the north permissive path.
Wood Mice active outside their winter quarters.
The bird boxes were emptied of any previous seasons nesting material. Out of the 35 on site only 19 were used. A poor uptake last Spring. Repairs are now in progress where required.

2011 brought no new significant sightings or discoveries.

Nature Fact

Wood Mice eat mainly tree seeds but seeds from bushes and herbs are also taken. Other sources of food are fruits, seedlings, buds and Fungi and, in late Spring and Summer, small snails, caterpillars and adult insects.

Work Party 28th December

The Christmas work party will be held on Wednesday 28th December 10am - 3pm (or whenever you've had enough!)

We will be working along the drainage ditch that runs from the houses on Hazel Drive to the end of the boardwalk (Kingfisher Creek). If unsure where this is, from the West Moors Road entrance whichever path you take will take you near to where we are working. We will be having a bonfire to clear scrub already felled along the ditch.

A word of warning... those of you that have had dealings with this ditch in the past will already know that it is suprisingly deep, steep sided and somewhat smelly (although not polluted). Please make sure on the day that you are always working with someone nearby and if bringing along any children please keep a close eye on them. Wellies a good idea. Christmas leftovers an even better idea!

Nature Notes November

Another mild month with days of strong winds and rain.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Sparrowhawk, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Song/Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Pied Wagtails, Great/Blue/Coal/Long-tailed Tits.
Plants: Gorse in flower.
Fungi: A large selection found during November.
Butterflies: Red Admiral.
Insects: Bees.
Mammals: Wood mice, Fox, Grey Squirrels.

The mild November weather produced many species of Fungi on site.

A Sparrowhawk has often been sighted hunting prey along the Hazelwood fenceline.

Pied Wagtails are becoming a common sight in the area.

A Tawny Owl has been heard from the Beaufoys Avenue area, calling to attract a mate.