Nature Fact

The Green Tiger Beetle has elytra and thorax which may vary from light to dark green and the pattern also varies. This sun-loving beetle flies rapidly with a loud buzzing sound and is seen from May through to the end of August. It frequents sandy places, such as clear paths, where the larvae dig burrows and ambush ants and other crawling insects.

Nature Notes May

May delivered a mixture of weather, mostly cool, wet and windy, with a few days of warm sunshine in contrast.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Heron, Common/Black-headed Gulls, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nightjar, Tree Pipits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrests, Song Thrushes, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcaps, Siskins, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Dunnocks, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves.
Mammals:   Wood Mice, Roe Deer, Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Insects:   Bees, Pond Skaters,  Water Boatman.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Small White, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, several species of day flying Moth.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Common Broom, Cotton Grass, Willow Catkins.
Reptiles/Amphibians:   Adder, Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Common Lizard, Common Newts.

A Nightjar was heard on the open heath at the end of the month.
Many bird species have produced young.
Tree Pipits were seen and heard during the month.

Nature Fact

Like others of the Crow family, Magpies will often plunder eggs and nestlings of less aggressive neighbours.  Searching methodically for a suitable nest-worthy habitat, a single Magpie may find several nests in quick succession.  When a small bird sitting on a nest sees a Magpie, it may ‘freeze’ until the last possible moment, hoping to be missed.  Once the Magpie discovers it, however, the other bird must retreat hastily.  Magpies have even been seen catching small birds and fledglings in flight.

Nature Notes April

April commenced with cool temperatures, heavy overcast days, and occasional heavy rainfall. A few warmer days followed later in the month.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Jays, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Buzzards, Heron, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Mallard Ducks, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bramblings, Redpoll, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Plants in flower:   Gorse, Primroses, Celandine, Flowering Currant.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies:  Brimstone, Comma, Peacocks, Large White, Orange Tip.
Insects:  Bees.
Pond/Stream Life:  Minnows, Pond Skaters, Whirligig Beetles.

The warmer days prompted many butterflies to emerge along the Hazelwood boundary.

The Bramblings and Redpolls were not seen on site after the 16th April.

Many of the bird boxes on site are now occupied and the first eggs laid.