Nature Fact

The colour of the Adder is particularly interesting because differences between male and female are rare in snakes.  Adult female Adders are usually brownish or reddish with dark markings, whereas males are normally a contrasting black and pale grey, with obvious black zig-zag pattern.  Some Adders are darker in colour or totally black (melanic), with no visible pattern or marking.

Work Party Tuesday 5th May

We will be continuing with the fence repairs started in April. Any queries should be directed to Will Holland on 07827820465.

Nature Notes April

The beginning of April delivered fine warm weather, but the climate turned showery and cold towards the latter part of the month.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Heron, Wood pigeons, Stonechats, Siskins, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting,  Chiff Chaffs, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Blackcaps.
Canada Geese/Swallows/Sand Martins in flight over the site.
Red Kites seen circling beyond the Western perimeter of the Reserve
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Roe Deer, Fox, Mole activity found.
Butterflies:  Holly Blue, Small/Large White, Brimstones, Peacocks, Red Admiral, Orange Tip.
Moths:  Species of day flying moths
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Sticklebacks, Tadpoles, Palmate Newts, Whirligig Beetles.
Insects:   Several species of Bees, Hoverfly, Ladybirds, Wasps, Hornet.                    
Reptiles:   Adder, Slow Worm.
Plants in Flower:   Gorse, Primrose, English Bluebells.

The first Bats were detected mid-month.
Chiff Chaff and Blackcaps were heard in many locations on site, the latter having arrived during the last week of the month.
Early nesters were seen busy searching for food to feed early hatching broods, mostly Robins and Blackbirds.
Many Whirligig Beetles seen from the East Bridge where it crosses Kingfisher Creek.

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.