Nature Notes April 2024
Date Published: 04-05-2024
The wind and rain continued from March into April, making it one of the wettest Aprils on record.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Herring Gulls, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Tawny Owls, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Stonechats, Siskins, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs.
Mammals: Fox, Grey Squirrels, Hedgehogs, Wood Mice.
Plants in flower/Berry: Common Gorse, Wild Cherry, Amelanchier,
Broom, Laurel,Catkin, Dandelion, Bog Myrtle, Celandine, Ribes.
Insects: Midges, Buff tailed Bees, Wood Lice, Wasps, Flies, Five Spot Ladybird, Ants.
Butterflies: Peacock, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Red Admiral.
Pond Life: Pond Skaters, Whirlygig Beetles, Common Newt.
The nesting season was well underway with the resident birds.
On the few warmer, dry days, butterflies appeared.
On their return from migration, both Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard singing, hoping to attract a mate.
Grey Squirrels were seen eating the new leaf shoots on Oak trees.
Jays, Carrion Crows and Magpies were all seen snapping off thin branches for nest construction.
NATURE FACT
The Jay belongs to the Crow family but has much brighter plumage than its relatives. At close range it looks quite exotic. Its crest, delicately spotted with white and black on the forehead, is raised when it is displaying to other birds. It has pale blue eyes and a broad black moustached streak whilst most of the body is pale pinkish-brown. Jays are very shy and restless birds, often only seen flying away.
Recorders: C. Wilcox K. Wilcox
SITE MANAGEMENT
The boardwalk across the open heath has been closed by Dorset Council for a number of weeks due to safety concerns. The work party replaced defective boards on the southern boardwalk approach to allow continued access to the permissive path. New posts were installed on the eastern perimeter fence.
