Nature Fact

A seasonal bird is, of course, the Robin. The bird's popularity in Britain has built up over the years and legends about the bad luck incurred by anyone harming a Robin go back to the 16^th century. Robins feature prominently on the earliest Christmas cards. It is a particular favourite among bird lovers, but despite all the efforts made to feed this bird in the harsh weather, thousands perish each year.

Nature Notes November

November had a few cold snaps, but the majority of the month brought heavy rainfall with strong winds. Not a great deal of activity on the Reserve. Water levels were high, with the peat pools overflowing onto the surrounding heath land and up to boardwalk level.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, Wrens, Siskins, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrush, Wrens, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Common Redpolls, Bramblings, Reed Bunting.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower: Low growing Gorse.

The middle of November brought an unexpected fall of snow north west of our area which may well have driven the Bramblings and Redpolls down into the Reserve. They were sighted for two weeks in the middle of the month along the Hazelwood boundary.
A female Reed Bunting was seen south of the boardwalk.
A disappointing month for fungi.

Nature Fact

Common Redpoll, who in summer are in northern areas and Scandinavia, move south during winter months. They have a distinctive red forehead with a small black chin patch. They are often in the company of Siskins and Bramblings.

Nature Notes October

The weather remained wet, with only a few dry days with sunshine. Very quiet on the Reserve with not much activity.
SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests.
Butterflies:  Holly Blue, Large White, Red Admiral.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels.
Insects:  Pond Skaters.

A welcome sight at the end of the month were several Goldcrests. This tiny bird, the smallest resident bird in Britain, was lost in large numbers during the cold spell last Winter.
No more sightings of Bats during the month.
A small number of Fungi were found with the hope that more will appear during November.