Wildlife Diary

The heavy downpours which started on the 27th August continued into the beginning of September bringing much needed rain. On the 1st a Slow Worm and 2 young Field Voles were seen under the corrugated metal mats near Top Field Shelter. About 140+ Linnet were counted...

There was a Spotted Flycatcher family on the edge of Pennsland Lane overlooking the rewilding area on the 2nd.  A Barn Owl was seen hunting over the crop before sunrise on the 3rd and a flock of 140 Linnets was seen in early daylight. Daniel BTO ringed 20 Linnet, 3...

Harry and volunteer Tim led a Butterfly Walk on the 2nd. Seven people joined them, and they recorded 13 species including Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Comma, Ringlet, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Large...

On the 2nd the Swallows were on 3 eggs in the Top Field Shelter, the female was incubating. Broad Bodied Chasers (m & f) mating at the Swallow Pond. 20 Swallows were hawking over David’s Oak with 2 House Martins. A male Kestrel was hunting over the crop. 3...

A Moth trap on the 1st caught 32 individuals, 15 species, including a Fox Moth that laid eggs in the trap and a Black Burying Beetle. All the Moths were released after identification; Fox Moth, Great Prominent, Hebrew Character,Brindled Beauty, Muslin, Treble...

On a Dawn Chorus Walk on the 1st April our 7 visitors saw Blackbird, Mandarin Duck, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Tawny Owl (before most people arrived), Herring Gull,Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Linnet, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Jay, Red Kite and Buzzard. They also heard Great...

March arrived with beautiful blue skies and sunshine. However cold and frosty nights meant that shady areas stayed frozen until lunchtime.  Primroses and Celandines were enjoying the sun in North Park and the Daffodils in the Orchard had begun flowering. A Sparrowhawk...

More Bluebell leaves were appearing in Corner Wood on the 1st and 2nd. The Snowdrops around some of the Apple trees at the top of Forde Orchard were blooming. The cattle were due to be removed on the 3rd however, we recorded another first for the LLP when Harry, on...

The year began with a mean temperature of 7.8°C and rain. The 2nd was dry with a beautiful sunny morning and frost in the shade, the mean temperature dropped to 2.8°C. Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock and Great Tits were loud in song. Nuthatch calling near Field Shelter in...