Nature Notes May 2018

Date Published: 06-06-2018

The weather during May was dominated by fine warm days, with a few days/nights of
strong breezes and showers.
SIGHTINGS
Birds: Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Black-headed
Gulls, Common Gulls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawk, Green/Great Spotted
Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Nuthatches,
Treecreepers, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks,
Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Blackcaps,
Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed
Tits, Siskins, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Nightjar.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Common Fox, Roe Deer, Pipistrelle Bats, signs
of feeding Badger.
Insects: Woodlice, Midges, Buff-tailed Bees, Flies, Wasps.
Butterflies/Moths: Species of day/night flying Moths, Brimstone, Holly
Blue, Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood.
Plants in flower: Yellow Flag Iris, Arum Lily, Yellow Broom, Foxgloves, Cutleaved
Geranium, Cotton Grass, Rhododendron, Herb Robert.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Common Newts.
Reptiles: Slow Worm.
Damselflies/Dragonflies: Broad Bodied Chaser, Small Red. Common Blue.
The resident birds on site either had broods that fledged from an early
nest, were feeding young in the nest or sitting on a clutch.
Observation of Tree Pipits and sounds of a Nightjar were recorded in the
last week of the month.
Remains of discarded feathers from Sparrowhawk strikes were seen at  several
locations.
Recorder: C Wilcox, K Wilcox
NATURE FACT
Nightjars arrive from Africa in mid-May to breed on heaths. During the
day, they lie motionless on the ground or a fallen branch. Due to the
delicate markings on their feathers, they look like dead leaves, blending
with their surroundings. Nightjars feed mainly at night, catching Moths as
they fly.

SITE MANAGEMENT
The work party completed the installation of gates and fencing pending
arrival of the cattle. The June work party is scheduled for 26th at 10pm.