28th Mar - Slightly later walk in the woodlands this morning found that the early morning bird life were noticeable by there absence, just a few Song Thrush, Robin and a distant Woodpecker drumming from the woodland unseen. with the warm sunshine it was a day for Butterflies, numerous Brimstone were zooming around the woods, I was unable to get a photograph, just one Comma seen, one Red Admiral, one Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell were everywhere, a few Buff Tailed Bumblebees seen also.
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| Small Tortoiseshell on Blackthorn blossom |
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| Small Tortoiseshell on Coltsfoot |
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| Peacock basking in warm sunshine |
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| Lesser Celandine |
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| Wood Anemones |
23rd Mar - Cold but bright morning, the Daffodils are past there best now, but new spring wild flowers are appearing around the woodland, Dog Violets, a few Wood Anemones starting to appear, Primrose and Cuckoo pint.
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| Primrose |
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| Cuckoo Pint |
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| Wood Anemone |
In the fields a lone Magpie was the only bird seen although I could hear a Pheasant calling in the distance.
Back in the woodland, a Chiffchaff heard singing but not seen, The Bullfinch was seen once again in the same area of scrub where it has been seen several times now. Nuthatch were quite vocal but only one seen.
A few examples of Jelly Ear fungi seen around the woodland today.
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| Jelly Ear fungi |
17th Mar - Lots of nesting activity seen this morning, Song Thrush with a beak full of nesting material, Jackdaws all paired up and peering out of the nesting holes, a lone Stock Dove eyeing up the Jackdaw nest holes, A Nuthatch carrying a bark chip for its unseen nest hole, two Blue tits investigating last years Nuthatch nest site and higher up in the same tree a Treecreeper working its way along the branch of the tree.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker still drumming, A Buzzard circling over the bronze age monument accompanied by two Carrion Crows.
Other birds noted Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Chaffinch, a fleeting glimpse of the Bullfinch, and today's highlight was the first Chiffchaff heard calling in this woodland unseen though.
15th Mar - After a few warm sunny days it was a surprise to find the woodland shrouded in a heavy mist this morning, it was a matter of I.D. by bird song this morning, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker all easy to identify. Two Nuthatches were in last years nesting tree chasing each other around the uppermost branches. Small Tit flock consisting of four Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits and two Great Tit.
At Two ponds a few Jackdaw up in there old chestnut tree. The pair of Mallards were back around the smaller of Two ponds, there must be a better place than this to look for a nest site, always seems strange to see them in a woodland setting.
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| Mallards around the woodland pool. |
I noticed a few Common Dog Violets this morning giving a splash of purple to the woodland floor.
Buff Tail Bumblebees seen around the Goat Willow catkins, probably the only reliable food source at the moment.
9th Mar - A beautiful morning with some warm sunshine, really felt like spring had properly arrived. Most of the daffodils are now in full bloom giving some welcome colour to the drab woodland undergrowth.
As I walked past last years Honey Bee nest I was pleased to see that there was plenty of activity around the nest hole. at least three Buff Tailed Bumblebee queens were seen also this morning.
five Brimstone Butterflies were seen around the woodland and glades, but as usual the butterflies were very active and always on the move.
Bird sightings today included a pair of Buzzards circling over the woodland , occasionally calling to each other. I wonder if they will nest.
Plenty of Song Thrush activity, one Treecreeper in the company of a Nuthatch, Blackbird , Great Tit, Blue Tit,Wren and Goldfinch,unusally a cock Pheasant hiding in the dead bracken in the woodland.
I couldn't resist a walk down to the Henhurst lake area to see if the Waxwings were around, unfortunately not for me. on the lake a single Black headed gull in full breeding plumage, a pair of Mallards, and two Moorhen, Skylarks could be heard singing high in the sky and just one meadow pipit seen on the fence. Wood pigeon, and the usual Jackdaws around there adopted tree,
I also noticed the Stock Dove seen a few days ago, still sitting patiently outside its nest hole.
16 species today.
8th Mar - An early walk in the rain this morning produced the usual sightings of, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Green Woodpeckers, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit. Wood Pigeon.
I noticed an interesting report of 25 Waxwings in Jeskyns park just north of Henhurst Lake, not seen by me though. worth looking out for.
6th Mar - Managed to get out early this morning and enjoyed a quite walk around the woodland in some bright sunshine. As I walked up from the car park I could hear three different woodpeckes, probably Great Spotted, drumming in competition, a slightly different tone to each drum.
Down at Two ponds the Mallards have moved on to a safer nesting site, and the Jackdaws pairing off around the various nesting holes in the old chestnut tree.
A pair of Mistle Thrushes disturbed from the scrub, plenty of singing Song Thrush , Blackbird and Robin
Still no sign of any Little Owls in their traditional nest site, but I caught sight of a small bird with a distinctive white rump, a bit distant in the treetops, but a definite male Bullfinch, just managed to grab a shot before it was off. Chaffinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit also seen
Around the glades a few Goldfinch were seen, Magpie, two Jays and a distant Buzzard circling high above the glade.
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| Common Dog-Violets |
9th Mar - A beautiful morning with some warm sunshine, really felt like spring had properly arrived. Most of the daffodils are now in full bloom giving some welcome colour to the drab woodland undergrowth.
As I walked past last years Honey Bee nest I was pleased to see that there was plenty of activity around the nest hole. at least three Buff Tailed Bumblebee queens were seen also this morning.
five Brimstone Butterflies were seen around the woodland and glades, but as usual the butterflies were very active and always on the move.
Bird sightings today included a pair of Buzzards circling over the woodland , occasionally calling to each other. I wonder if they will nest.
Plenty of Song Thrush activity, one Treecreeper in the company of a Nuthatch, Blackbird , Great Tit, Blue Tit,Wren and Goldfinch,unusally a cock Pheasant hiding in the dead bracken in the woodland.
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| Cock Pheasant doing its best to hide in the undergrowth. |
I also noticed the Stock Dove seen a few days ago, still sitting patiently outside its nest hole.
16 species today.
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| Nesting Jackdaws |
I noticed an interesting report of 25 Waxwings in Jeskyns park just north of Henhurst Lake, not seen by me though. worth looking out for.
6th Mar - Managed to get out early this morning and enjoyed a quite walk around the woodland in some bright sunshine. As I walked up from the car park I could hear three different woodpeckes, probably Great Spotted, drumming in competition, a slightly different tone to each drum.
Down at Two ponds the Mallards have moved on to a safer nesting site, and the Jackdaws pairing off around the various nesting holes in the old chestnut tree.
A pair of Mistle Thrushes disturbed from the scrub, plenty of singing Song Thrush , Blackbird and Robin
Still no sign of any Little Owls in their traditional nest site, but I caught sight of a small bird with a distinctive white rump, a bit distant in the treetops, but a definite male Bullfinch, just managed to grab a shot before it was off. Chaffinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit also seen
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| Bullfinch |
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| Jay |
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| Buzzard |
Back in the woodlands I came across at least four Treecreepers , always a bit distant.
Plenty of Woodpigeons flying around the woodland with just one sighting of a Stock Dove, its Black Eye giving away its identity.
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| Stock Dove. |
Still a few patches of Snowdrops scattered around the woodland, and finally the Daffodils are starting to flower, always seem a bit late in there flowering compared to other areas.better late than never though. These are probably not one of our UK native species.
