Monday 10 June 2013

Deer slide
Empty Crow's nest
Poor Bees wondering where their home and their honey has gone


Mystery Fungus
Spot the Blue Tit nest!

Badgers and Bees

Saturday morning, the 8th of June saw us arriving rather late at the Reserve however this didn't really matter as my son had only just made it across the brook because there was just so much to see! The Comfrey was alive with Bees buzzing around it. We saw a flock of Long -tailed Tits in the reserve who proceeded to follow us around with their high pitched whistles. We also watched a pair of Blue Tits busily dashing in and out of a nest in a tree feeding their brood. There was fresh Otter spraint under the bridge and we stumbled across some very despondent bees who's ground level nest had been raided, presumably by Badgers? Very frustrating as I haven't seen a single Badger this week despite my offerings of grapes and peanuts. Very interesting fungus on Yew tree, no idea what it's called? Also lovely clear Deer prints near brook where they have been sliding down the bank to drink.

Saturday 1 June 2013

Missed the Bird watching this morning as I went to London to march against the Badger cull. Luke up dated me though and told me he saw a Crow feeding chicks on a nest, heard Great Tit chicks in one of the boxes and watched a Tree Creeper going to it's nest! Busy times. Been watching the Sett a lot this week with good results, at least one Badger a night but tonight was the best yet, saw at least 6 Badgers. For the past few nights I've heard a harsh kind of barking/screaming noise, can't see what is making it but my guess is a Muntjac stag? It sounds very eerie(especially as I'm opposite the cemetery!) and moves around the Reserve a lot, tonight it also came from the field. Might move back up the tree tomorrow in the hope of seeing the mystery noise maker.