Nature Fact

Mistle Thrushes are always more thinly distributed and seem to require much larger territories than that of the Song Thrush.  Large mature gardens and parklands are typical habitats for them.  In the breeding season you may find them in woodlands and even conifer plantations as long as there are grassy areas nearby for spring feeding.  They feed on worms and insects, often in the centre of fields, but fruit is an important part of the diet, particularly mistletoe berries, hence its name.

Nature Notes December

December, although mild for the time of year, brought strong winds and very heavy rainfall.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves, Heron, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens,Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Stonechat, Siskins.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower:  Gorse.

Due to the inclement weather, there was not a great deal to view. The only evident movement was that of the resident birds in the quest for daily food.
A welcome sighting of a Stonechat was seen north of the boardwalk. Recordings of Stonechats have been few and far between on site during the past year.

YEAR 2012
Nature sightings were down, a disappointing year.  Numbers of Silver Studded Blue butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Reptile species, Fungi, Mammals and wild flowers were all showing low numbers.
A total of 24 out of 38 mixed bird specie nesting boxes provided homes for nesting birds on site last Spring/Summer.

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.