Nature Fact

Redwings are Winter visitors,  fractionally smaller in size to the Song Thrush.  The ‘seep’ sound is the commonest flight call of the Redwing.  Distinctive markings are the pale eye-stripe above and below the eyes, with red flanks.  Redwings breed in Iceland in the Summer months and are visitors in Scotland during the winter, spreading southwards if the weather conditions deteriorate.

Work Party Tuesday 29th December 10m-1pm

We will be cutting and burning Gorse.  Bonfire guaranteed.  Xmas leftovers guaranteed.  Weather - who knows! 

All are invited, whether you want to get stuck into the Gorse or just have a chat and warm yourself by the fire. 

Meet by the Heathland information panel.  Phone Will Holland on 07827 820465 if you would like more info.

Merry Christmas!

Nature Notes

November was memorable for the mild, wet and windy weather. Due to these weather conditions there was little wildlife to observe.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Magpies, Black-headed Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeons, Buzzards, Siskins, Nuthatches, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Grey Squirrels.
Butterflies/Moths:   Red Admiral, Brimstone.
Insects:   Sheet/Nursery Spiders, Web/Funnel Spiders.
Fungi:   Birch  Polypore, Sickener.

The Tawny Owls continued to be very vocal from dusk through to morning light.

WORK  PARTY

The October work party coppiced gorse and cleared pine saplings on the dry heath area north of the Redwood Drive entrance.  The next work party is scheduled for the 29th December. Details will be published on our blog page shortly before the due date. 

Nature Fact

During the winter months, blackbirds spend their nights in communal roosts.  Gathered together at the chosen sheltered site, it enables them to conserve heat most efficiently and safety from predators. These roosting birds are not just from the British population,  vast numbers come from Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland and Finland, for a milder winter.

Work Party Tuesday 24nd November

Meet at 10am at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will be clearing more scrub and vegetation where it is interfering with access and fencelines.  We may also coppice some of the Gorse on the dry heath area.

Tools and gloves are provided as well as refreshments.

If you need any further information please telephone Will Holland on 07827 820465.

Nature Notes

Birds:   Carrion Crows, Magpies, Black-headed Gulls, Jays, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Buzzards, Stonechats, Siskins, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks, Grey Wagtails, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Fox, Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Speckled Wood, Species of day flying Moths.
Insects:   Wasps, Sheet/Nursery Web/Funnel Web/Garden Spiders.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Fungi:   Birch Polypore, Deceiver, Sulphur Knight-cap, Sickener,

Readings of Pipistrelle Bats were still being taken on the last evening of the month.
A Kestrel was spotted mid-month, north of the boardwalk.