Birds

27/02/16

In an ivy clad tree by the pond in Area 5 a pair of Goldcrest were picking off insects. A pair of Mallard seem to have taken up residence, maybe ready for nesting.

24/02/16

A frosty start to the day and couldn't be bothered to scrape the car off. So I walked to work along Areas 4 & 5 of the Emm. By the pond in Area 5 a Great spotted Woodpecker was on the trees and near Ripplestream Bridge a Green Woodpecker was calling . Crossing Kingfisher Bridge at 07:50, I disturbed a Kingfisher from its perch.It flew upstream towards Meadow Road Bridge.

20/02/16

Area 5 highlights this morning were a Sparrowhawk looking for breakfast and a male Bullfinch calling from the bushes. In the afternoon a solitary Canada Goose flew over my house calling.

18/02/16

It was a sunny day so at lunchtime and againin the afternoon I visited Area's 1 & 2 to the rear of Tecco's. In the fields were 6 Lapwing , numerous Jackdaws and 3 Pied Wagtail . In the flooded field where the two areas meet a Grey Heron was sunbathing in a tree. The pair of Egyptian Geese were in the field with their 3 Goslings and a Little Egret was feeding amongst the cows.

A Grey Wagtail was seen preening on a fence post. Approx 70 Redwing were also seen. In Area 5, 2 Cormorrant flew over heading N.

16/02/16

In the car park field in Area 10 a Great spotted Woodpecker was drumming and a Nuthatch was calling. Both sightings by by Fraser Cottington.

14/02/16

On Valentines Day in the car park field in Area 10 a Kestrel and a Mistle Thrush was seen by Richard Marsh. Meanwhile in Area 5 50+Redwing were constantly on the move. A Moorhen was on the Emm between Dragonfly and Ripplestream Bridges. Siskin were feeding on the Alder trees near the pond and 2 Stock Dove flew over. Later in the day a Buzzard was over Area 5 mobbed by Carrion Crows.

13/02/16

A Kingfisher was seen flying downstream on the Emm from Meadow Road bridge by Malcolm Dunmore. Out in the rain this morning in Area 4 and 5. A Grey Wagtail was in the Balancing Pond. 2 Long Tailed Tit were feeding on the fat square by the pond. 2 Mallard were on the pond and a Red Kite was braving the rain .

12/02/16

A Barn Owl was seen in the box and then flying by the Emm at Lavells Lake by Fraser Cottington.

09/02/16

A Buzzard was seen by Linda Garner-Langham over the car park field off Sandford Lane at Dinton Pastures in Area 10.

09/02/16

In the car park field off Sandford Lane at Dinton Pastures Area 10. A Kestrel was seen by Fraser Cottington.

07/02/16

Insects

Other Wildlife

Mammals

14/02/16

In Area 4 by Kingfisher Bridge a Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus was scurrying around in the leaf litter before disappearing into a small hole at the base of the tree.

01/02/16

In Area 10 numerous Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus were seen around the car park field.

Fungi

Molluscs

Fish/ Crustacean

Plant/Trees

12/02/16

In Area 5 by the pond Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria are just starting to emerge. This is one of the first wildflowers to bloom, its pretty, golden stars often blanket the ground.Its the floral equivalent of the swallow: both reappear around the same time and herald the coming of spring. In fact 'celandine' comes from the Greek chelidon meaning 'swallow' and it traditionally first blooms on 21st February.

06/02/16

In Area 5 this morning the catkins of the Alder Alnus glutinosa tree were seen blowing in the wind. Alder is monoecious: it produces both male and female flowers on the same tree between February and April. The male flowers or catkins are a dark yellow brown colour, about 2 inches long when open. The female flowers are much smaller in size, cone-shaped and red. When fertilised, these become green fruits, which gradually become woody and eventually release small, reddish brown seeds.

Why do leaves change colour in the Autumn click here Autumn leaves