Nature Fact

The Goldcrest is our smallest British bird measuring 9cm. A very small hyperactive species that always seems to be on the move. It feeds among branches and will sometimes hover to snatch food from the undersides of leaves. Outside the breeding season it often joins flocks of other small birds such as Tits

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.

Nature Fact

It has been recorded that Sparrowhawks can catch a Woodpecker and drag it to a pond or pool of water and drown their victim.

Work Party Sunday 27th November

We will be working again along the main east-west ditch as per last month.

For anyone who was not there last month, meet at the West Moors Road entrance at
10am. We have to climb down the highway embankment and over a fence before tackling some of the roughest and wettest terrain that the site has to offer. Please be prepared with wellies!

The task is once again clearance of scrub along the ditchline and possibly continuing along the highway fence to improve accessibility and make maintenance easier.

Nature Watch October

The weather during October was very mixed offering warm bright spells, several cooler weeks, one night of frost, followed by mild temperatures with strong winds and heavy rainfall. Not a month which presented us with many sightings.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Siskins, Stonechats, Goldcrest.
Reptiles: Common Lizards.
Butterflies: Red Admiral, Comma, Large White.
Fungi: Common Puff Balls, Brown Birch Bolete, Amethyst Deceiver.
Mammals: Grey Squirrel, Moles showed signs of activity.
No further Bat detector activity shown beyond the beginning of the month.
A few Blackberry fruits remain at the end of the month, a source of food for birds, foxes and small mammals.
Holly bushes are laden with bright red berries at the close of the month, providing food for birds during colder weather to come.

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.