Wildlife Diary

Between the 5th and the 12th David and Harry worked on the abstraction point in the river which feeds the ponds. Blocking has been a constant problem since the ponds were created in November 2006. The system was redesigned in 2010, but it still blocked regularly,...

A Butterfly Walk on the afternoon of the 2nd revealed more butterflies than during June, but numbers are extremely, and worryingly, low compared to other years. Species spotted included Small and Large Skippers, Marbled Whites, Ringlet, Meadow Browns and one...

The month began dry, and the Lesser Stitchwort and Birdsfoot Trefoil had begun flowering in the grassland alongside the Germander Speedwell. The Skylark was seen and heard again on the 1st over the Main Field. On the 2nd a Heron was seen on the river below the top...

The first Crosswort was seen flowering in the Main Field on the 1st of the month. The Orchid patch was still looking magnificent as were the Bluebells and the large patches of Greater Stitchwort in the rough grass. Three Wood Mice and a Slow worm were found when...

A Mandarin Drake was in the pool above the top bridge in Corner Wood on the 1st. On the 2nd there was a pair there and a Wood Mouse under the corrugated sheet nearest to the Top Field Shelter. The Mouse was there again on the 3rd and the 4thand has built a nest.  A...

Blackthorn was blossoming in the Pennsland Lane hedge on the 1st, a week after the Blackthorn in the Kiln Close hedge started. Mowing of the winter bird food crop continued and whilst driving the tractor, David saw a Shrew and two Field Voles, one taken by a Buzzard....