Nature Notes June 2024
Date Published: 02-07-2024
A predominately wet and windy month but drier weather in the last week.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Herring Gull, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays,Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owls, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeon, Stock Doves, Stonechats, Siskins, Tree Pipits, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Wrens, Goldcrest, Robbins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Mammals: Fox, Grey Squirrels, Hedgehogs, Wood Mice, Mole activity, Pipistrelle Bats, Saprano Pipistrelle Bats.
Plants (in flower/Berry): Cut leaved Geranium, Honeysuckle, Celandine, Foxglove, Cranesbill, Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Buttercups, Herb Robert, Bog Asphodel, Common Cottongrass, Blackberry, Arum Lily, Holly, Dandelions.
Insects: Midges, Hover Flies, Solitary Bees, Wasps, Wood Lice, Hornet, Black Ants, Bumble Bees, Orb-Web Spiders, Sheet Web Spiders, Funnel Web Spiders.
Dragonfly/Damselfly: Small Red, Common Blue, Broad Bodied, Four Spot Chaser.
Butterflies/Moths: Large White, Holy Blue, Brimstone, Peacock, Silver-studded Blue, species of day flying Moths.
Pond Life: Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters, Backswimmers.
A quiet month on the Reserve, due to wet and windy weather.
Many young of all species were seen in the latter part of the month.
Bats were located on the drier, less windy evenings.
NATURE FACT
Eriophorum angustifolium, commonly known as Common Cottongrass, is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family. It grows on peat or acidic soils, in boggy or open wetland. The white, fluffy, cottony seed heads are extremely distinctive. It has dark green, narrow leaves and drooping flower heads. They were once used as a feather substitute in pillow stuffing, to make candle wicks and to dress wounds during the First World War.
Recorders: C. Wilcox K. Wilcox
SITE MANAGEMENT
The monthly work party finished off erecting the livestock fencing along the boardwalk pending return of the cattle. Weakened fence posts were replaced along Kingfisher Creek.
