Birds and other
wildlife recorded in April 2020
An
unusual flyover was a Grey Heron. Red Kites and Buzzards were observed fairly
frequently – two of the latter on the 19th. Sparrowhawks were seen mating on
the 3rd. we’ve had them breeding before, so listen out for the plaintive cries
of hungry young in a few weeks. Woodpigeons and Stock Doves were seen also
relating intimately. Tawny Owls are heard by local residents – male and female
interacting vocally. Great-spotted Woodpeckers have been drumming, and Green
Woodpeckers have also been pairing up. The usual corvids have been around:
Magpie, jackdaw, Jays (in considerable numbers), and Carrion Crows. The Rook
nests seem to have stabilised at about 12, and young have already been spotted
a few times in the nests. More unusually, a Raven has also passed over the
woods – they do breed nearby.
On
to the smaller birds: Blue, Great and Coal Tits have been recorded, as has the
distantly related Long-tailed Tits – they are no longer in flocks calling
prettily to each other, just in ones and twos as they pair up. Skylarks can be heard and seen over the
nearby fields, including the old biofuel field which is now full of a variety
of brown, white and part-coloured sheep!
Several warblers are now resident in the woods: Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs,
and Willow Warblers.
There
are at least two pairs of Nuthatch, and of course the resident Wrens, Robin,
Dunnock and Blackbirds are frequently recorded. There was only one Song Thrush
recorded – we need to get up earlier!
Several members of the finch family were observed: Chaffinch, Greenfinch
(listen for its wheezing song), Goldfinch and Bullfinch; and finally, House
sparrows in the area nearest to human occupation.
In
addition to the birds, there are records of Brimstones, mating Peacocks,
Speckled Woods and small Whites, as well as Common bee-fly, Buff-tailed
Bumblebees, ladybirds....there are many others, so do look out for insect life
too. The Bluebells have been spectacular this year – and quite early – and a
patch of Wild garlic has also been recorded. The leaves of the Common-spotted
Orchids are showing well. There’s
plenty of plantlife to observe – send in what you see!
Please keep
sending your records in – it will add to your enjoyment to study what you see
and hear and will enhance other people’s enjoyment of the woods.
However, everyone must
stick to the government guidelines about daily exercise.
