Nature Fact

Flocking -   Birds flock for a number of reasons of which the most important are finding food, avoiding attack by predators and migrating.  In every case the primary motivation comes from the individual, for whom the advantages of joining a group outweigh those of remaining solitary.

Nature Notes October

The weather was mild, wet and windy throughout the month, with winds reaching gale force at times. Very quiet on the Reserve due to the inclement weather conditions.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Siskins, Nuthatch, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Butterflies:   Large White, Peacock.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Mole, Fox, Wood Mice.
Insects:  Pond Skaters, Crane Flies.
Plants in Flower:   Low growing Gorse.

No more sightings of Bats during October.
Many species of Fungi appeared due to the mild wet conditions.
A Sparrowhawk has been observed seeking prey along the fenceline of Hazelwood.

Nature Fact

All habitats support Fungi of various kinds. In general, different kinds of Fungi occur in different habitats, each species being adapted to fill a particular niche. Woodland provide the richest habitat for larger Fungi; both deciduous and coniferous woods are ideal places to look for a wide rage of species. Many of the woodland toadstools form mycorrhizal associations and grow only with certain kinds of tree. Similarly, other Fungi are parasitic or saprophytic on the wood of certain kinds of tree.

Nature Notes September

The weather during September continued to be mild and dry, with just a few damp days. A definite Autumnal feel on the Reserve with leaves already turning colour and, in some cases, falling.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers,  Black-headed Gulls, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Siskins, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Robin. Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Swallows, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Fox.
Butterflies/Moths: Large White, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Red Admiral.
Insects/Pond Life: Pond Skaters.  Reptiles:  Common Lizard.
Plants in flower:  Low growing Gorse, Ling Heather, Bell Heather.

Blackberry bushes supplied a heavy crop of berries this September, food for small mammals and foxes. Rowan trees were heavily laden with berries, providing much needed food for resident and migrant birds before departure. The warm damp weather at the end of the month will promote the growth of fungi early next month. Summer visiting birds departed by the end of the month, with only a few Swallows being seen flying over the Reserve.

Nature Fact

Weather conditions can play a big part in the timing of the birds’ departure south on migration. While the birds may be physically ready to leave, they need to use the best weather conditions for migration so may stay put if the weather is bad. Swallows may stay on well into October.