Nature Notes October

October was a dry month, with only a few spells of dampness, giving heavy mist on several mornings.  The transition between Summer and Autumn began, giving a mellow feeling on site.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzards, Tawny Owls, Wood Pigeons, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers,  Pied Wagtails, Starlings, Jack Snipe, Herons, Blackbirds, Robins, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Wrens, Nuthatches, Tree Creeper, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Pipistrelle Bats, Foxes, Roe Deer, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower:   Water Lily, Low growing Gorse.
Fungi:   Fly agaric, The Blusher, The Deceiver, Bay Bolete, The Sickener, Wood Blewit, Honey Fungus:  Chanterelle, Bracket Fungi.
Pond Life:   Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Speckled Wood, Brimstone, species of day flying Moth.
Insects:   Midges, Sheet/Orb Spiders, Flies, Wasps, Hornets.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Broad Bodied Chaser, Common Darter.

Migrating birds were still passing through the Reserve. Herons were seen more frequently, flying over or perched in Pine Trees.  Tit species were visiting nest boxes considering roosting rights.
Due to the dry mild conditions, species of Bats, Butterflies, Insects and Dragonflies were prolonging the Summer season and still active.
With the damp and misty conditions on site, trees and shrubs were adorned with the clear views of intricate webs of Spiders, giving a spectacular sight.

SITE  MAINTENANCE
The work party cleared scrub along the southern fence line and burnt the resulting vegetation. The next work party is scheduled for November 29th commencing 10am. Details will posted on our blog page nearer the time.

Nature Fact

What is a Fungus?   -   Animals and plants are ‘cellular’ in their structure, that is to say they are formed by cells, but fungi are composed of thin filaments.  These filaments, called hyphae, are tubular and microscopical generally about 3-10 thousands of one millimeter wide, with the walls made of chatin the same organic substance that forms the protective coverings of insects.

Work Party Tuesday 25th October

Meet at 10am at the Redwood Drive entrance. We will continue with some of the scrub clearance work for access and habitat management. Tools, gloves and refreshments provided. We will be on site until 1pm.

Please phone Will Holland on 07827 820465 if any queries.

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