The Hedge Working Party met yesterday. One of us observed a small flock of field fare in West Field on the way to meet the group. A member of the public reported seeing a stoat on the track near the treble gates and we disturbed a heron in Flora Field as we approached our hedge.
Here are photos of what we think is a common toad, found in West Field by Ken and Richard at last Saturday’s volunteering. If there are any toad experts out there who can confirm or correct, please do so.
An excellent close-up of a brown hare in West Field yesterday as Oliver and I carried out the monthly reserve inspection on a lovely sunny morning. We were just stood quietly in the field when it stuck its head up above the grass about 20 metres away. To my untrained eyes, it seemed a big and healthy animal. It looked at us for a bit then casually bounded off a short distance, leaping over the tussocks. Clearly not unduly bothered by our presence. We then spotted it twice more as we continued on through the field.
Whilst working on trimming the west hedge of the West Field this morning a group of volunteers had a really good sighting of a weasel. S/he seemed a bit cross at being disturbed and far from running away darted in and out of the hedge for several minutes.
I am also informed that the horse manure conceals a wealth of wildlife, mainly insects of course but also a newt was observed.
Two song thrush in the West Field today reminded me of seeing a mistle thrush in the Flora Field on Tuesday (1st) and several field fare in the West Field yesterday (2nd). Today I also saw a moorhen and a pair of teal around School Pond and a snipe flew up as I passed Big Meadow.
There was a hare in the West Field this afternoon.
Whilst working on the east hedge of West Field today one of us noticed a shrew which conveniently retreated to a crevice between two stems where we could all take a look.
Lots of geese circling the hill to the west but they didn’t come over us. Not far away though!
Little egret flying along the west hedge of West Field this afternoon.
We also spotted a couple of teal on the School Pond. This was good as for the last week or more we have not seen the teal. Do they come and go?
Whilst walking on the Long Pads footpath this afternoon we saw a flock of 20 and more birds. They settled in the lone oak tree in the West Field hedge and with the sun on them we had a clear view. On returning home and consulting our bird book we are very confident they were brambling although there were some chaffinch in there as well.
Whilst hedge laying yesterday in the east hedge of West Field we came upon our first birds’ nests in over 150 metres of laying – and three of them!
Photos below.
We also saw an oystercatcher take off from the field and a flock of lapwings circling the field – I guesstimate 40 or so
