Work Parties

The work party dates for early 2015 are:-
January 13th
February 10th
March 10th

Further details will be posted nearer the date.

Nature Notes December

The year ended with mild weather on the whole, only turning to heavy overnight frosts  in the last week.  Another quiet month with little of consequence on view.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Wrens, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse.
Butterflies:   Red Admiral.
Insects:   Bees.
Fungi:   A small number of Fungi.

Nature Fact

The Wren  is a delightful plump little bird with a short, jaunty, upright tail,  that feels at home in most places.  The hedgerow is no exception for it delights in examining every crack and crevice, fallen leaf, twig or stone in its ceaseless search for a succulent insect or spider - which, apart from the occasional seed, form its main diet.  The familiar call of ‘tic-tic-tic’ in a deafening loud voice is out of proportion to its diminutive size.  Another astonishing feat performed by this little bird is its ability to reach up to peck above its head by simply stretching its neck in a quite un-wren-like manner.

Nature Notes November

November was mild with only a few cooler days and nights towards the end of the month. A quiet month on site, with not much movement.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Wood pigeons, Collared Doves, Stonechat, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal/Blue/Great/ Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Red Admiral.
Fungi:  An increase in the number of species seen during this month due to the mild, damp conditions.
Plants in Flower:   Common Gorse.

Nature Fact

Now that the daylight hours are much shorter in length, most feeding activity for wildlife takes place during the morning. Once the animal has sufficient food intake, it restricts its movements to conserve energy and heat retention for the night ahead, which might possible be very cold.