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Birds and other wildlife recorded in April 2017
The
two main raptors, Red Kite and Buzzard circled regularly over the wood – the
former is often seen wheeling over the nearby housing estate. Woodpigeon and
its subtler relative, Stock Dove, were frequent but nobody recorded Collared
Dove. Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers called and drummed. Dunnocks, Robins
and Wrens were encountered on most visits, and it was pleasant to hear several
Song Thrushes uttering their varied songs in different parts of the wood.
Blackbirds too gave out their flute-y melodies. (Which is your favourite song?)
Great and Blue Tits sang and called and there were still a few small groups of
Long-tailed Tits. All the summer warblers have now arrived in Britain, and
many were found in the woods: on the 1st five separate Chiffchaffs
and a Blackcap were heard; a couple of days later the first Willow Warbler sang
its enchanting song. Quite a contrast to the more assertive sounds we heard
from Nuthatches, magpies, Jays, jackdaw, and crows. The Rooks nest are
difficult to count now that the leaves are fully out – probably 11 to 13. House
Sparrows chirped from areas near human territories and three finch species were
recorded: Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch. No Greenfinches were heard this
month – as a species they have been hit by disease, but they are still around
in the woods.
The
Bluebells have been magnificent, and are definitely spreading from the old
woodland area into the new wood. They, like Dog’s Mercury and Wood Anemones are
known as Ancient Woodland Indicators (AWIs to the botanists). There has also
been a very good display of Lesser Celandine.   
Large White - Speckled White - Jay Pictures by Sasha (click to enlarge)
The
mammal list is short – Grey Squirrel, Fox, and Muntjac. Two of these little
deer were seen crossing the picnic area on the 3rd – perhaps they were hoping
for a change of diet from the Bluebell shoots…
Keep
those records coming in
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