Birds and other
wildlife recorded in April 2023
The occasional Pheasant was heard,
perhaps celebrating an escape from nearby shooting! Red Kites were heard and
seen fairly regularly overhead, with two together on the 9th. Buzzards were the
only other birds of prey recorded this month, three together on one occasion.
Woodpigeon and Stock Doves were
encountered on most visits, and both common species of woodpecker were
recorded: Green and Great-spotted. The
regular corvids were noisily about: Jay, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and
Jay. The number of nests in the somewhat
mobile rookery has varied from apparently 9 to apparently 12!
All the common tits were seen –
Blue, Great and Coal and their distant relation the Long-tailed Tit. The
warblers are out in force, singing loudly – many Chiffchaffs, the more
delicate-sounding Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps. Garden warblers should be around,
and they can be confused with Blackcaps by sound (though not in appearance). The nearby fields have had large
numbers of singing Skylarks, a Swallow was seen on the nearby field too, while
within the woods the Nuthatches and Treecreepers have been seen and heard.
Treecreepers can be quite hard to spot!
Wrens are very common. Starlings
were also around, often being encountered nearer to the urban edges. Blackbirds
are about and it is pleasing to hear the regular varied sound of Song
Thrushes., three on one visit at the end of the month. Robins and Dunnocks were also
reported regularly. House Sparrows also favour the urban fringe. Finally to the finches: Chaffinch, Greenfinch
and Goldfinch were all recorded; nobody saw a Bullfinch?
The mammal count has gone up: not
just Grey squirrel this month, but also Muntjac and Roe Deer, and the
occasional lingering scent of Fox.
A few butterfly species were
noted: Brimstone, Peacock, Orange-tip, and Small White. Other insects recorded
were Dark-bordered Beefly and Red-tailed Bumblebee.
And of course: the Woods’ crowning
glory – a wonderful display of Bluebells. Other woodland species include Dog’s
mercury, Lesser Celandine and Wood Anemones.
Thanks to everyone who has sent in
a note of what they’ve seen.
