Work Party Tuesday 3rd January

The plan is to fell a few of the larger willows close to the path/fenceline that we have previously worked on this winter. They are within the grazing unit and are causing significant shading on the open heath.  We will be tidying the area, having a bonfire and undertaking other chores should time permit.

Meet at 10am at the Redwood Drive entrance. Contact Will Holland on 07827 820465 for further information if required. Tools, gloves and refreshment will be provided.

Nature Notes November

A month of fluctuating temperatures and conditions with strong winds, heavy rain and days of sunshine. There was a cold snap in the last week with night temperatures falling to -6 degrees.

SIGHTINGS 
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Hooded Crows, Buzzards, Jackdaws, Tawny Owls, Heron, Jays, Magpies, Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Siskins, Stonechat, Jack Snipe, Mistle Thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Pied Wagtails, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Goldcrests, Wrens, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:   Roe Deer, Fox, Grey Squirrels, Wood Mice, evidence of Mole activity.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Butterflies/Moths:   Brimstone, Large White.
Insects:   Sheet Web Spiders, Funnel Spiders, Garden Spiders.
Plants:   Holly Berries, Ivy Seed heads, Rowan Berries.

The annual survey of nest boxes on site was undertaking which revealed 23 were used, 9 not used, 2 were missing and 1 abandoned.  Now that inclement weather has arrived the boxes are now all ready for Winter night roosting, giving vital shelter to smaller birds.

SITE  MAINTENANCE
The work party removed gorse and scrub  to allow a stretch of the southern fence line to be straightened. The cut vegetation was burnt. Details of the next work party will be posted on www.slopbog.org blog page toward the end of December.

Nature Fact

When excavating its burrow, Moles may move more that 6kg (13lbs) of soil in 20 minutes. Comparing the weight of a Mole, 100g (3 ½ oz.) and that of the average human male, 70kg (154lbs), this is the equivalent to a man moving more that 4 tonnes of earth!

Work Party Tuesday 29th November

Meet at 10am at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will be continuing with scrub clearance but will also be repairing or removing a short section of fenceline on the dry heath area.

Tools and gloves, drinks and biscuits provided.

Please call Will Holland on 07827 820465 if you need further details.

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.