Nature Notes April 2023
Date Published: 01-05-2023
A varied month weatherwise with very wet and windy periods interspersed by a number of dry, sunny, warmer days.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Carrion Crow, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Heron, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Nuthatches, Wrens, Treecreeper, Robins, Blackbirds, Goldcrest, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Siskins, Stonechats, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tit.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Fox, Hedgehogs, Wood Mice, Mole activity.
Plants: Common Gorse, Catkins, Cotoneaster, Celandine, (flowering currant), Broom, Dandelions, Bog Myrtle, Amelanchier, Wild Cherry, Laurel, Celandine.
Fungi: Birch Polypore, Turkey Tail.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bees, Bee-flies, Midges, Wasps, Flies, Wood Lice, Five Spot Ladybird, Ants.
Butterflies/Moths: Brimstone, Peacock, Large White, Orange Tip, Comma.
Reptiles/Amphibians: Slow Worm, Grass Snake.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Common Newts, Tadpoles.
Birds were seen gathering nesting material throughout the month.
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard calling for mates in several locations.
A pair of Hedgehogs were caught on trail camera, performing their mating rituals.
A Grass Snake was observed swimming in the stream after emerging from Winter hibernation.
NATURE FACT
Grass Snakes vary in length from 70cm – 150cm, females being bigger than males. A slender, pale coloured snake with a distinct head and dark marks on either side of the neck, with yellow toning. It eats frogs, fish, tadpoles, newts, mice, voles and birds and has the ability to swim well. Mating takes place in April and May.
Recorders: C. Wilcox, K. Wilcox
SITE MANAGEMENT
The monthly work party carried out habitat management work which involved raking up and removing dead grass among the heather on the non-grazed side of the boardwalk. This will allow light and warmth to get to the ground to aid germination of a wider variety of species. Repairs were undertaken to the boardwalk.
Grass Snake Image by K Wilcox
