Buzzard © Darin Smith

Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

Round the reserves

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

January
This time last year we were in the throes of an invasion of waxwings. An annual visitor to the east of the country this spectacular looking bird arrived in such great numbers from northern Scandinavia that thousands of them made it into the South West. This bird is principally associated with rowan trees from which it feeds and is recorded mainly in urban areas. Look out for these birds at Stockwood Open Space where local trees laden with fruit may attract waxwings again. Also look for them at Brandon Hill - it might be worth spending some time near the area surrounding the tower. This tree and shrub lined part of the hill is a favourite stop off for migrant birds and uncommon birds such as nuthatch and treecreeper may join other winter visitors such as redwing, blackbird, robins and chiffchaffs.

February
Grey herons can be seen returning to their nests at Cleeve Heronry. Over 40 pairs of this large wetland bird nest high in the treetops of this small woodland on the edge of the North Somerset Levels. Displaying birds will clatter their bills and fluff out their crests and throat feathers in an attempt to attract mates. The more dominant and successful pairs will nest towards the top of the heronry with the younger and less experienced birds finding a nesting place lower down. Young birds can be seen in the their nests up until April when the leaf cover begins to obstruct the views.

March
Often a month with mixed fortunes, where winter abruptly meets spring. In the Gordano Valley winter thrushes will still be flocking together and towards the end of the month swallows may have already arrived back on their breeding grounds. Along the edge of Taggarts Wood at Weston Moor chiffchaffs will sing out their names from catkin-laden hazel. Sparrowhawks and common buzzards can be spotted displaying above woodlands such as Weston Big Wood, Browns Folly or Prior's Wood as both species deliver their death defying roller coaster flight. By now butterflies will be well on the wing and brimstone and small tortoiseshell can be seen along the woodland edge of Folly Farm. Remember to keep an eye out for the first record of large-red damselfly. Traditionally this insect is not due on the wing until April, but increasingly records have been coming in of this insect appearing in late March. Look out for it at any wetland site especially Weston and Puxton Moors.

April
Stockwood Open Space will be brimming with wildlife. Recent surveys by our volunteer warden Jeff Holmes show that the site is still exceptional for its population of song thrush with twenty eight singing males recorded in 2004. This number is only beaten by the number of singing blackcaps, which totalled thirty two, a record count. Stockwood Open Space is also now the only reliable site for grasshopper warbler in the former county area with two birds 'reeling' in the rough grassland areas. And without doubt one of the best places to visit will be Prior's Wood. The bluebells at this wonderful new reserve will be in full flower towards the end of the month and an early morning visit will reward any visitor with incredible views of thousands of plants all celebrating spring together!

Reserves Update

Restoring Puxton
In 1998 the Trust took on management of Puxton Moor. Already designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest this area had suffered from neglect and scrub encroachment for many years. Working with Defra and English Nature we've been undertaking a slow programme of wetland restoration funded through the Countryside Stewardship scheme. This has now been stepped up with an injection of funding from English Nature and significant improvements are being achieved. Over the next four years this major programme of habitat restoration will lead to the development of species-rich watercourses. Wetland plants such as frogbit, hornwort, rootless duckweed and pondweeds will directly benefit.

Good news and special finds...
The water voles have not been found at Lawrence Weston Moor since 1998. However habitat improvements undertaken since then seem to have had a beneficial effect and this year surveys of the site uncovered definite signs that they have returned. Further habitat improvements are planned this winter which should allow further expansion into the reserve and, hopefully, establish a resident population of water voles. There has been a rush of rare lower plant discoveries at Goblin Coombe. Justin Smith found a fungus called the olive earth tongue Microglossum olivaceum and another named Entoloma bloxhamii, both for the first time this year. Both are nationally rare and their presence is a very positive indicator for the quality of the grassland at
Goblin Combe.

Littleton Brick Pits
The ongoing development of the old Electrotech site at Whale Wharf has meant that the reserve has been closed for some time. However, behind the scenes management is continuing, thanks to Malcolm Cook, the volunteer warden. A viewing platform has been built which allows excellent elevated views over the reeds to the areas of open water. Pollarding of the mature willow trees has begun on rotation. This is a traditional technique which involves cutting back all the branches to leave just the trunk. A handful of trees will be done each year so that there are always different stages of willow regrowth on the site, providing a wider range of niche habitats. This technique not only prolongs the life of the individual trees but also slows the drying of the site.