Nature Facts

Most birds have only one mate, the advantage is that both parents help to rear the young.  Some birds, however, practice polygamy ie having more than one mate.  Male Wrens often do this, especially where food is plentiful and the hen can feed the young on her own.  There are two types of polygamy - simultaneous pairing with two or more females and successive polygamy, when the male initiates consecutive broods with different females.  Male Wrens do both.

Work Party Sunday 24th March

Time 10am to 3pm meet at the western, Redwood Drive, entrance or look for the Ranger's van/smoke.   

This will be the last Winter work party and so we will have a final clear up of any brash piles. We will also cut back gorse where it is interfering with fencelines that need inspecting and repairing before the cattle return in April/May.

Time and people allowing, we may also clear some of the vegetation along the back ditch/footpath and do any final clearance in the retention woodland to make access easier through the Summer.

Wear old clothes as there will be at least one bonfire. Refreshments available but bring lunch if staying all day.  

Nature Notes February 2013

The wet weather finally eased by mid-month followed by cold, dry days and nights with a few snow flurries.  A few milder bright days were a welcome change. There were no unusual sightings.

SIGHTINGS 

Birds:   Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests, Wren, Nuthatch, Siskins, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits. 

Mammals:   Grey Squirrel,  Fox. 

Plants in flower:   Gorse.

Birds were active in courtship with the dawn and dusk chorus very audible.

Woodpeckers could be heard drumming.

Bees were seen on brighter, slightly milder days.

Work on the bird nesting boxes, which were removed last year for repair or replacement, was completed.

Nature Fact

Buzzards, usually seen wheeling and soaring over the Reserve, gained an early reputation for laziness although patient waiting is part of their efficient hunting strategy. They are not agile and rely mainly on a silent approach to catch their varied prey.

Nature Notes January 2013

January was a mild month on the whole with spells of sunshine, wind and heavy rain.. However, the third week brought heavy snowfall before turning mild once more by the month end.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Magpies, Jays, Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long tailed Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Wrens, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Dunnocks, Siskins, Goldcrests.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Fox.
Plants in Flower:   Gorse.

No unusual sightings were reported during January.

Many birds took to neighbouring gardens in search of food during the harsh snowy week.