Nature Fact

Whirligig Beetle:-  Groups of these small black beetles swim rapidly in circles on the surface of still water at a speed of 40 inches per second.  They are scavengers, eating other insects that fall into the water.

Forthcoming Work Parties

Work Parties dates for the next 3 months are as follows:-

21 April
5 May
9 June

All are welcome to attend, first timers particularly so, and details will be published on this blog page nearer the time

Nature Notes March

A reasonably dry mild month with only a few showery periods.  Signs of the arrival of Spring were evident.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Heron, Kingfisher, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Dunnocks, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Wrens, Goldcrest, Siskins, Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Grey Wagtail.
Plants in flower:   Common Gorse, Primroses.
Butterflies:   Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Tadpoles, Sticklebacks.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels, Signs of Moles creating mole hills, Roe Deer, Fox.
Insects:   Species of Bees.

Bird species were actively nest building and mating at the end of the month.
Both Chiff Chaffs and Willow Warblers arrived on site during the last week in the month.
A Kingfisher was observed fishing for Sticklebacks in the drainage ditch adjacent to the path and Hazel Drive.
A Heron was sighted perched on top of a Pine tree.
Tadpoles were found in the pools at the north west side of the site.
Badger tracks were seen along the western border.

Nature Fact

The small three-spined Stickleback is one of the most common fish found in ponds and streams in Britain. In March, it claims a territory in open water, defending if against other males, until the end of June. He excavates a pit and builds a nest tunnel for the female to spawn in. After fertilising the eggs, he drives her away, becoming a single parent, who provides shelter and protection for the broods it fathers.

Nature Notes

February delivered one fall of snow in the first week, followed by wet weather on the whole but with a few bright dry sunny days.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:-   Buzzards, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Sparrowhawk, Heron, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Black-headed Gulls, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Coldcrests, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Female Stonechat, Siskins.
Mammals:-   Grey Squirrels, active Moles, Fox.
Plants in flower:-   Common Gorse.
Insects:-   Several species of Bees.

It was noticed that birds were seen in pairs.
Moles were very active, pushing up hills above their tunnel runs.
During the Winter months, the bird box survey was carried out on the Nature Reserve. Twenty four boxes were occupied last Spring.