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.

Nature Fact

The majority of birds produce one egg every 24 hours.  The eggs are laid at dawn each morning until a full clutch is produced.

Nature Notes March

A cold month with a mixture of heavy rain, wind and wintry flurries of snow. The last week in the month brought dry cold weather, with a few sunny days. Again, a quiet month on site due to the unseasonal weather conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Magpies, Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Heron, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Gulls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Brambling, Stonechat, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Goldcrests, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Butterflies:   Brimstone.
Plants in flower:   Gorse.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Insects:   Buff-tailed Bees.

In the last week of the month, a male and female Blackcap were seen along the Hazelwood boundary having just returned from overwintering in warmer climes.
Several Brimstone butterflies were seen on brighter days, as were Buff-tailed Bees.
On the last day of the month a male Brambling was spotted, surprisingly still in the south of the country not yet having returned to breeding areas in the north or Iceland.
Pairing and mating of birds was very evident throughout the month.

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.