Nature Notes September

September began with periods of heavy rain turning to brighter blustery weather mid to late month. Several mornings were damp and misty, giving an Autumnal feel.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Tawny Owls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Siskins, Chiff Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Reed Bunting, Jack Snipe, Pheasant, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal-Blue-Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:   Ling,  Water Lily.
Pond Life:   Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large/Small Whites, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, species of day flying moths.
Insects:   Midges,  Sheet/Orb Spiders. Grasshoppers.
Reptiles:   Slow Worms. Common Lizard.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied, Common Darter, Emperor.

In the latter part of the month, migrant birds such as Willow Warblers and Chiff Chaffs were seen feeding, several together, preparing for their departure.
Pipistrelle Bats were recorded late into the month, on warm dry evenings.
A Jack Snipe was observed in flight and adjacent to the boardwalk.  These birds usually breed elsewhere but do visit the site throughout the Winter months, although difficult to locate and observe, unless disturbed.
Several species of birds seen catching food for the oncoming Winter, including Jays and Nuthatches.
Many finches were late in producing young this Summer.  Noticeable were the young Goldfinches who at present lack their red and black masked faces which will develop during the Winter months.

SITE  MAINTENANCE
The work party laid chicken wire on the replaced boardwalk planks as well as clearing scrub along fence lines, ditches and paths. The next work party is scheduled for October 25th commencing 10am. Details will posted on this blog page nearer the time.

Nature Fact

ALERT
Two bird diseases have been observed in the area of Slop Bog.  Trichomonosis is a disease which affects mostly finch species, especially Greenfinch.  The infected birds show extreme runny moisture at the eyes and beak, with beak open, showing great difficulty in swallowing.  This prevents the bird from feeding and subsequently it dies.   Knemidocoptes is caused by mites burrowing into the legs of birds, creating raised scales and growths on the legs.  This has been seen on Chaffinches and Wood Pigeons on site.
ADVICE
If you have seen an infected bird on your feeder, please remove feeder and soak in a solution of 95% water/5 percent bleach for a period of time, to help prevent other birds contacting these diseases.  To report any infected birds, contact  web.support@bto.org  or write to  B.T.O., The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU

Work Party Tuesday 27th September 10am-1pm

Likely tasks are…

Laying chicken wire on the boardwalk (repaired section)

Scrub clearance along fencelines, ditches, paths.

Gate fittings to be modified.

Please meet at the heathland information panel.  Phone Will Holland on 07827 820465 if any queries. Refreshments will be provided.

Nature Notes August

Several weeks of warm bright weather but little rain. Strong winds at times.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed
Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Buzzards, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves,  Heron, Grey Wagtail, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Siskins, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:  Cranesbill, Cotton Grass, Bell Heather, Crossleaved Heath, Ling. Water Lily.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Common Water
Boatman, Common Back swimmers.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large/Small Whites, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Silver-studded Blues, Grayling, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral,  Gatekeeper, Peacock, Species of day flying Moths.
Insects:   Midges, Buff-tailed Bees, Hornets, Wasps, Flies, Ants, Ladybirds, Sheet Web/Orb Spiders, Raft Spider, Grasshopper.
Reptiles:   Common Lizards, Slow Worm, Grass Snake.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied, Four Spot Chaser, Small Red, Common Damselfly, Emperor, Common Darter, Keeled Skimmer.

A good number and variety of Dragonfly and Damselfly seen on site during August.
A few Silver-studded Blue Butterflies at the beginning of the month on the central heathland.
An unconfirmed sighting of a pair of Ringed Parakeets (no image obtained) which were very vocal.
Calls from the Nightjar ceased by mid-August.

SITE  MAINTENANCE
Rotten hand rails were replaced on the boardwalk. Invasive vegetation was cut back from the boardwalk and pathways. Pine saplings removed.

Nature Fact

The Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly is found mainly on bogs and marshes.  Only mature males are blue, young male resembles female. Male commonly rests on the ground.

Work Party Tuesday 30th August

Meet at the Ringwood Drive entrance at 10am. Tools and refreshments will be provided. All are welcome, do as much or as little as you wish.

Nature Notes July

A warm, dry month with rainfall below the July average.  There were strong winds at times.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Tawny Owls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Grey Heron, Swifts, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Nightjar, Siskins, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Fox, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:   Cranesbill, Catkins, Cotton Grass, Blackberry, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Water Lily, Bog Asphodel, Dandelion, Common Vetch, Creeping Cinquefoil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Rowan berries showing colour.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large/Small/Green-veined Whites, Holly Blues, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Silver-studded Blue, Grayling, Brimstone, Comma, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper.
Insects/spiders:   Midges, Buff-tailed Bees, Raft Spiders, Flies, Grasshoppers, Crickets, Wasps, Hornets, Ants, Wasp Spider, Sheet Web Spider.
Reptiles/Amphibians:  Common Lizards, Slow Worms, Grass Snake, Adder. Common Frog.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied, Four Spot Chaser, Small Red, Common Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Southern Hawker.

The Owlets, which have been monitored, have not been reported as seen during July although calls and screeching has been heard at several locations away from the nursery site.
A group of Swifts were spotted flying over the site, at a high level.
Young birds were evident, reaching independence.

Nature Fact

The male Beautiful Demoiselle dragonfly has a metallic blue thorax and abdomen and purple-brown wings; the female has a green thorax and brownish wings. They capture insects with their legs while in flight or snatch them off vegetation. So specialized have their legs become that they can only perch on or cling to vegetation; they are unable to walk on a horizontal surface. An additional handicap in walking is the length of the body extending behind the legs.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held at Avon Heath Country Park on Tuesday 27th July commencing 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.

Nature Notes June

Most of June was dominated by heavy rain, wind and thick cloud with only a few short periods of sunshine generating mild temperatures.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Tawny Owls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Green/Great spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Nightjar, Siskins, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Fox, Roe Deer, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:   Cranesbill, Catkins, Cotton Grass, Holly, Blackberry, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Bell Heather, Cross leaved Heath, Water Lily, Foxgloves, Bog Asphodel, Yellow Flag Iris, Yellow Broom.
Fungi:   Birch Polypore.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Butterflies/Moths:   Silver-studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Large/Small Whites, Holly Blues, Orange Tips, Peacock, Red Admiral, Species of day flying Moths.
Insects:   Midges, Buff-tailed Bees, Raft Spider, Flies, Wasps Ants.
Reptiles:   Common Lizards, Slow Worms.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied, Four Spot Chaser, Small Red, Common Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle.

Monitoring of the two Tawny owlets continued throughout the month, observing the progress and development in their behaviour and appearance.  Towards the end of June the family dispersed and are now more difficult to locate having left the nursery site for independence and new territories.
A Jay was observed predating a Common Lizard on the boardwalk.
Bog Myrtle scent was very apparent on dry warmer days.
A Nightjar was heard and seen on the central heath.

SITE  MAINTENANCE
A picnic table was constructed in the glade bordering the western edge of the central heathland. Invasive vegetation was cut back from the permissive pathways.

Nature Fact

The Raft Spider may be seen resting on leaves of pond weed.  The front legs rest on the surface of the water to feel the vibrations of struggling insects on which they prey.

June Work Party

The next work party is scheduled for Tuesday the 21st June. Meet at the Redwood Drive entrance at 10am. Tools and refreshments will be provided.

Nature Notes May

Mixed weather conditions throughout May ending with warm sunny days.  The Reserve offered sightings of several migratory birds.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crow, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Tawny Owls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Cuckoo, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Reed Bunting, Siskins, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Song Thrushes, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Male Mallard Duck.
Mammals:   Roe Deer, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Fox, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:   Cranesbill, Catkins, Cotton Grass, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Rhododendron, Rowan.
Fungi:   Birch Polypore.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Stickebacks.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large/Small Whites, Brimstone, Holly Blues, Orange Tips, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, species of day flying Moths.
Insects:   Buff-tailed Bees, Hover Flies, Midges, Black Ants.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Four Spot Chaser, Small Red, Common Blue Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle.
Reptiles:   Common Lizards, Grass Snake.

Tawny Owls have reared two Owlets this year, using one of the Owl nesting boxes installed by S.B.G.  Another box has four eggs,but no adult Owl has been observed incubating.  This is the first time the boxes have been used.
A Cuckoo was heard calling from the north end of the site, early in the month.
Tree Pipits have returned and have been seen on the Pine trees on the central heathland.
Many young birds were observed on site late in the month, having fledged.  The Blue Tits nesting in a box, mentioned in the April report, only achieved to rear two young out of the initial five.  This could have been an indication of low insect numbers at the time of rearing.

Site Management

The walk way site access from Cedar Way has been completed. Encroaching vegetation was cleared from the boardwalk by the work party volunteers and rotten planks replaced.
It was hoped the cattle would have returned to the Reserve by now but we understand negotiations continue with the preferred grazier.

Nature Fact

Tawny Owls nest in hollows of trees but take readily to nest boxes.  The clutch varies from two to five round white eggs depending on calculation of food supply.  They do not breed if there is a shortage of food.  It takes a month from the start of incubation for the young to hatch, several days apart.  At first their eyes are bright blue and turn brown when 16 – 20 days old.  The Owlets fledge at five weeks old, then roost in low dense foliage of trees or bushes.  The Owlets stay in their parents’ territory for 10 – 12 weeks, dependent on their parents for food, before being forced out to find their own territories.