Nature Notes March 2021
Date Published: 02-04-2021
A mixed month weatherwise with rain, wind, frost, plus a few warmer sunny days near the end of the month.
SIGHTINGS
Birds (seen or heard): Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Magpies, Buzzards, Common Crow, Sparrowhawks, Tawny Owls, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Wrens, Blackcaps, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Robins, Firecrest, Dunnocks, Siskins, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Pied Wagtails, Stonechats, Chiffchaffs. Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits.
Insects: Midges, Buff-tailed Bees, Flies.
Mammals: Grey Squirrels, Fox, Mole activity, Wood Mice, Common Shrew.
Plants (in flower/berry): Common Gorse, Cotoneaster, Celandine,
Ribes (flowering currant), Bog Myrtle.
Butterflies/Moths: Brimstone, Peacock, Large White.
Pond Life: Whirlygig Beetles, Pond Skaters.
A pair of Mallard ducks were seen in the drainage ditch bordering the southern perimeter of the Reserve.
Many of the bird nesting boxes are now occupied by Blue and Great Tits.
A new Woodpecker Box has been installed on site and within one day a pair of Great Tits were showing interest.
Tawny Owls have returned for the second year running to the Owl nesting box.
A pair of Pied Wagtails observed in the woodland along Kingfisher Creek.
At least five male Chiffchaffs have been recorded calling, in various locations on site. The first one heard was in the second week of March.
A Firecrest has been spotted along the West of the Hazelwood path which could indicate that a nesting site may be in this area.
NATURE FACT
Chiffchaffs are migrant birds that arrives during March – April, to breed on the ground within low scrub in April to June. The nest is domed and four to nine white eggs, speckled with purple, are incubated for 13 – 14 days.
Recorder: C.Wilcox
SITE MANAGEMENT
A work party was held on the 30th March following the easing of covid restrictions.
Tasks undertaken concentrated on clearing debris and invasive vegetation from the draining ditch, replacing worn chicken wire on the boardwalk, removing willow from the bank along Kingfisher Creek and renewing rotten fence posts.
