Good numbers of red mason bees, the species that are attracted to cardboard tubes for nesting, feeding on gooseberry flowers near the Millennium Oak. There were also a number of solitary wasp species on the flowers.
Steve
First swallow I have seen over reserve this year.
Here is Jonathan’s message
Dan’s winter bird survey will shortly be on the website and on drop box ( where the maps will be included)
Thanks to all who have posted recently – wonderful to read about your sightings and to see your photos!
For anyone posting images, if you’d like visitors to see larger versions of your images, just select ‘Media file’ in the ‘Link to’ dropdown menu when you’re adding the image to your post (click screenshot below to see where this is and the ‘back’ button on your browser to return to the blog):
A male brimstone butterfly was in Arable Field yesterday.
Steve
A buzz at the table today. Chaffinch and reed bunting ( Dan counted 26 at least!) and linnets (20) coming down from the trees either side of the double gates to feed on seed scattered on the ground. Recent cold weather seems to have made them all hungry. A stoat, presumably the one recorded by Christine,came out of the Long Pads hedge and ran across in front of us, crossed the Pony Wood path and disappeared into Little Wood, to the delight of the small boy who had been helping scatter the seeds.
While I was putting out the duck nesting platforms this morning I disturbed a kingfisher in Upper Sowerholme.
Earlier in the morning, on my bike ride, I saw a barn owl at Glasson Dock.
Two pairs of teal in School Pond this afternoon.
Steve
Here is Jonathan’s mesage
Hello All,
The Fairfield Saturday volunteering session which was scheduled for this coming Saturday, February 13th, is cancelled.
Given the current national lockdown, the Association has suspended group volunteering so the session will not take place. We plan to review the situation in early March.
In the meantime, Ian has requested that I pass on his best wishes to all our volunteers and hope that you all keep safe and well. To which I’d like to add, as I believe the young people say nowadays, “Same.”
Until next time,
Jonathan