Nature Notes September

The weather during September was dominated by heavy rainfall and wind, with a few dry sunny days. The first signs of Autumn were showing. 

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Commmon Gulls, Grey Heron, Tawny Owls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Wrens, Robins, Blackbird, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:  Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Roe Deer.
Butterflies,/Moths:   Species of day flying Moths, Large White, Speckled Wood,. Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles.
Insects:   Species of Bees and Wasps, Common Grasshopper, Garden Spider, Wasp Spider, Midges, Craneflies.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Emperor, Small Red. Four Spot Chaser.
Reptiles:   Slow Worm, Adder.
Plants in flower:   Blackberry flowers and berries, Large White Water Lily, Rowan Tree Berries, Ivy seed heads, Ling Heather, Honeysuckle, Cranesbill, Tormentil.
Fungi:   Fly Agaric, The Blusher, Birch Polypore, Common Puff Balls.

A number of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs observed feeding and should depart by the end of September.
Spagnum Moss is in healthy growth due to the rainfall  throughout the month.
Pipistrelle Bats have been recorded throughout the month on the dry evenings.
A good number of Fungi species formed throughout the month.
An Adder was spotted swimming across Kingfisher Creek.
The change to the bird song has been noted and sometimes aggressive behaviour, due to establishing individual Winter feeding territories.

Nature Fact

The Adder’s year has two stages and takes place in two habitats.  The timing of each stage is variable and depends on local weather conditions.  From about late September, Adders are inactive, living in underground retreats.   By the end of October or when temperatures fall below nine degrees centigrade, it is unusual to find an Adder above ground.  During the Winter, they make use, often communally, of existing burrows, cracks and crevices, particularly under or among tree roots.  There are two reasons, for sharing a Winter den.  Firstly, there is usually a scarcity of secure, safe sites which give protection from frost, but do not become too dry; secondly, many snakes coiled together help to keep each other warm.

Work Party Tuesday 26th September

There is a work party next Tuesday starting at 10am until 1pm.  Please meet at the Redwood Drive entrance.  We will be installing a bench as well as undertaking a few other odd jobs.

As always wear old clothes and dress for the weather. Tools and refreshments will be provided.

Telephone Will Holland on 07827 820465 with any queries.

Nature Notes August

The weather during August was dominated by heavy showers of rain with strong winds on occasions. Towards the end of the month, drier conditions and mild days were experienced.  

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Tawny Owls, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcap, Tree Creeper, Nuthatches, Goldcrest, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Siskins, Kestrel. Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals:  Fox, Pipistrelle Bats, Grey Squirrels, Wood Mice, Roe Deer.
Butterflies/Moths:   Species of day flying Moths, Large/Small/Green Veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Silver-studded Blue, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Back Swimmers, Whirlygig Beetles, Stickleback fish, Frog.
Insects:   Species of Bees and Wasps, Hoverflies, Common Green Grasshopper, Raft Spider, Sheet Web Spiders, Orb Spiders, Funnel Spiders.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:  Broad Bodied Chaser, Emperor, Small Red, Common Blue.
Reptiles:   Common Lizard, Female Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Female Adder.
Plants in flower:  Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Rowan Tree Berries, Holly Berries, Ivy seed heads, Large White Pond Lily, Blackberry fruits, Common Vetch, Cranesbill.

The Rowan berries are providing meals for a number of birds at present, particularly Blackbirds and Bullfinches.
Tawny Owls have continued to be very vocal along the Hazelwood fence line.
A number of Hedgehogs have been sighted in the late evening in gardens adjoining the Reserve.
Many migrant bird species are in the process of preparing to leave, building up their fat reserves for the long journey ahead of them. One of the first to leave is the Nightjar, who has not been heard calling during the past month.
With the wet and mild weather, Fungi is now forming.

SITE  MANAGEMENT
The fenceline forming the southern perimeter of the enclosure was reinforced with barbed wire. The path along this fence is being widened to allow vehicular access from the Redwood Road entrance as far as the boardwalk. The next work party is scheduled for 5th September and another may be held on the 26th - see this blog page for details nearer the time.

Nature Fact

The Bullfinch forages in woodland, especially coniferous forests. It is a versatile bird both in choice of habitat and in the food it eats, rarely moving more than a few miles from home territory and is expert at seeking out the best food available in its local patch. Adult Bullfinches are vegetarians but they feed their nestlings on large quantities of predigested and regurgitated insects and spiders. Throughout Summer and Autumn they consume a huge variety of seeds, anything from minute grass seeds to the ash keys which hang in inviting bunches and are one of the Bullfinch’s favourite food.