This morning signs of spring at Caldene fields with 131 Meadow pipits returning N with a further 3 resting in the fields. Also moving N were 13 Alba wagtails, 1 Redwing and a single Skylark.
A Parakeet Sp (escapee) with a very odd call flew to the S
A site first and another Pheasant surprise…
This morning I found a bird species which I have never recorded in our area but have been expecting it for a number of year now. I saw a Stonechat Saxicola torquata sat on a house roof! it stayed there resting for a good couple of minutes before flying off to the west…an excellent start to the day.
I have not seen my friend the male Pheasant (with the damage tail) since the 1st of March. However, on Sunday 8/3 I was driving just outside our recording area when I saw another male Pheasant…with an undamaged tail…All very strange!
Noticed all so on Sunday at least 6 Meadow Pipits returning north to their breeding grounds over Caldene fields.
Pheasant surprise…
A bit of a strange sighting today of an adult male Pheasant in our area. This is my second ever record as I am not aware of any birds in the near vicinity to our recording area.
The thought crossed my mind, is the bird wild as it has parts of it’s tail feathers missing however, it was very wary suggesting it may well be wild and has come in from somewhere!
Brambling…
A female Brambling fed with Chaffinches at Caldene fields today first sighting of the winter.
Please keep a look out in our local area they ‘ maybe ‘ on the move searching for food.
Southern’s in trouble…
Since 2016 in a damp area at Toad Holes Beck there has been a good population of Southern Marsh orchids peaking at 8 during 2017. However, I have noticed over the years that this area has become overgrown with Brambles, Nettles and Himalayan balsam and in 2019 none of these beautiful orchids could be found.
So on Saturday it was our group’s work day and we teamed up with Peter Gurney and Tia from YWT to tackle the problem. The first phase carried out by Peter was to strim the area of Bramble etc and then we all got to work raking away all the cuttings.
Naturally wildlife was never far away with Tia observing a possible Field Vole, then a Queen bee ( possible Buff -tailed ) was found, observed and put back quickly followed by a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker.
A special thank you to our friends from the YWT for their help and equipment and the tea and biscuits!!!
So in spring we will monitor the area and cut if required and fingers crossed the southern’s will return.
Not only for the kids…
Yes….an excellent chance to enjoy our local wildlife area with a guided fun walk for children and adults…Can you find an Elf cup…or spot the first Snowdrops? come along a enjoy nature on YOUR doorstep…
Storms bring destruction and joy…
It was certainly wellington weather today as I walked the patch. Caldene fields were soaked with water and mud which attracted 2 feeding Pied Wagtails. The path into Raw Nook NR was totally flooded but unfortunately the storm had brought down a Goat Willow tree.
However, there was good news and bad news as the pond is back to it’s fullest….just like the old days. But sadly I know that because of the leak in the pond it will soon dry out. This will be devastating news for spawning frog this spring if that happens….
Hedge planting…
At Toad Holes Beck there is to be a new wildlife hedge planted on land which is owned by the Woodlands cricket club just off the footpath leading to Dyehouse road.
Today I met Stuart Tordoff groundsman at Woodlands on the site and gave him a hand digging over the soil. Stuart was telling me that there is about 150 sapling to be planted. These will consist of Hawthorn, Field Maple and Blackthorn. All of these trees/shrubs will be excellent for increasing bio-diversity in the area…
Also in the autumn our group could under plant the hedge with spring bulb and wild flowers to enhance the hedge further….So well done Stuart and a big thank you to Woodlands cricket club!
Moth Leaf mines…
Since the new year I have been trying to get to grips with the difficult subject of moth leaf mines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_miner
So today I went to Raw Nook Nr looking for Coptotriche marginea which is a common species and can be found during the winter on Bramble. The first patches of Bramble prove fruitless but near to the Heather I found two.
I have to be honest as I am learning about leaf mines I thought I had better get a second opinion and thankfully I was right. Whilst I have not actually seen the moth because I have found the evidence of breeding I can add this common species to my moth list.
There were also a nice pair of Goosander at Toad Holes Beck and 7 Bullfinches including 6 stunning males together..Wow
Workday surprise…
On Saturday our group cleared over growing vegetation from a footpath at Toad Holes Beck that runs at the back of the pond. It was a lovely but cold morning but we all soon got warm as some tackled the Bramble and other started litter picking.
The path was given a good make over and is now ready for Spring.
We all had a nice treat when a low skein of Pink-footed geese flew over to the S/W. Also I noticed in an area that we had cleared of Himalayan balsam in the summer a nice patch of new Rushes that had appeared. I have checked them out and believe they maybe Jointed Rush Juncus articulatus However, I have contacted Peter Gurney from YWT who is more botanically minded than me for his opinion.
