wild daffodils

Month by month, wildlife to look out for...

January

A cold bracing start to the year will result in thrushes moving into the UK, displaced by frozen feeding grounds throughout eastern and central Europe. Fruit laden hawthorns are perfect for berry hungry redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds and a visit to either Burledge Hill, Folly Farm or Walton Common will result in excellent sightings. If winter brings snow there'll be a real opportunity for wildlife sleuths to practice their skills at nature detective work. At Weston Big Wood or Brown's Folly the carefully placed slots of deer hooves can be found across the rides and the more experienced observer may be able to work out the differences between roe deer and the smaller muntjac.

February

In recent years this month has been the coldest with clear blue skies, subtle sunlight and crisp frost, but early signs of spring are already beginning to show. In the sheltered wooded valleys of Goblin Combe and Monk Woods, primroses and wild daffodils are beginning to grow. Carpets of lesser celandine and dogs mercury begin to wake up as daylight hours increase. Hares can be seen across the levels and at Puxton and Weston Moors these magnificent mammals can be observed during the early hours of dawn as they lark about, fighting and showing off to potential mates.

March

Spring arrives with a flourish this month. Some birds such as the raven may well have already had their brood and young birds can be observed flying in family groups overhead. Ravens are more likely to be encountered at Walborough, Folly Farm and Brown's Folly, their presence being given away by their tell-tale 'cronking' call and death-defying tumbles. Sand martins and early-arriving swallows should begin to start passing through as migration begins. At Chew Valley Lake and Bathampton Oxbow migrants
such as these will be seen on the wing along with flocks of lapwing as they prepare to return to their
breeding grounds.

April

Butterflies like brimstone and comma favour the edge of woodlands on sunny days and can be seen on Brandon Hill and Stockwood Open Space. At these sites great crested newts are also back breeding in the newly restored ponds. These unusual amphibians are best observed at night with the aid of a torch and can be seen as they float near the water surface. A new pool at Avonmouth Pools is also good for these newts and provides excellent habitat for teal and common snipe.

Reserves Update

Deer o' deer

Last year we reported that we successfully erected over a mile of deer fencing around Taggart's Wood at Weston Moor. After just one season of growth the difference can already be seen and many of the planted trees that had been stunted by constant deer browsing are starting to recover. A significant area was left unplanted to allow natural regeneration through seed from the adjacent native woodland but pressure from deer browsing has proved just too great for this to happen. We will be planting 3000 native trees early in the year so if you would like to get involved in this project please contact Tim Curley on 0117 917 7277 or timcurley@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Species records

The ongoing surveying and monitoring of species on the reserves is an essential part of their management. and the species records we receive help us to identify trends that can influence our practical management we undertake. It's always nice to hear about something a little bit special, recent
records of note include: ruddy darter(a nationally notable dragonfly species) at Lawrence Weston Moor, galingale (a locally and nationally scarce plant species) at Stockwood Open Space and dark green fritillary at Kingsweston Down. This unusual butterfly has not been recorded on the site
for some time.

Further details of all reserves - together with a profile of the reserve of the month - can be found here