Nature Notes January 2024
Date Published: 02-02-2024
A month to be remembered for two severe storms, Isha and Jocelyn, both of which brought heavy rain and strong winds. A cold, frosty spell also occurred. Due to the inhospitable weather, wildlife was not very evident.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owls, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Stonechats, Siskins, Redwings, Nuthatch, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinch, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Fox, Grey Squirrels, Mole activity.
Plants in flower/Berry: Common Gorse, Holly, Ivy.
Insects: Midges, Species of Bees.
Butterflies: Peacock, Red Admiral.
On a few of the milder, sunny days, Butterflies, Bees and Midges were seen.
A Buzzard was spotted on a number of occasions, flying fairly low along the middle woodland path, hunting for small mammals.
A wide selection of Moss and Lichen, including Sphagnum Moss, were evident
NATURE FACT
Buzzards are usually seen wheeling and soaring. Having gained an early reputation for laziness, patience is part of their efficient hunting strategy. They are not agile, relying mainly on a silent approach to catch their varied prey. They can be seen sitting on a fence post, scanning a favoured hunting area to find food, which they then take by a straight, silent flight from their perch. They also spend much time walking around fields, picking up Beetles and other large insects and all kinds of other invertebrates, such as earthworms.
Recorders: C. Wilcox K. Wilcox
SITE MANAGEMENT
Two work parties were held. Tasks undertaken were:-
*Continued clearance of scrub from the eastern enclosure bordering the
boardwalk.
*Thinning out Holly that was starting to dominate the understory of trees
and threatening to spread onto the near by heathland habitat.
* Burning the brash left from some recently felled Willow trees
Buzzard Image by K Wilcox
