Speckled Wood and Fungi

Slime Mould ?

Dragonfly

Pond Survey

Carried out an Opal pond survey today 21st/7/2013.
We found water beetles, water boatmen, pond snails, and three very nice young newts.

Edith Holden's Bellflowers

The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady

July 21st 1906  
Cycled to Baddesley and walked from there to Balsall Temple.

On page 100 she has a picture of the Giant Campanula that she found there, it is still flowering by the brook on July 15th 2013 just as it was when Edith went there in 1906.

Foxgloves

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.

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.

Spotted Flycatchers

I've been bird watching at the Reserve every Saturday morning with my son, Luke, who posts all our sightings on the BTO Bird Tracker and between us, we were delighted to identify Spotted Flycatchers at the Reserve. Seem to be quite a few. We also appear to have annoyed a Blackcap because we played his song on our phones, he followed us around after that!
My Badger watching has continued to reveal dark shapes moving across the field at dusk although I have discovered lots of very full latrines in the damp, far corner and what appears to be an annexe to the main Sett.
On Monday night I changed my position and sat amongst the Brambles being eaten and crawled over by various insects, not daring to move when my patience was rewarded by two black and white snouts emerging from a hole, such joy!! I was so excited my heart started to pound, the blood rushed to my head and for a while I couldn't see anything. Shadowy shapes followed and I went home very happy.

Saturday morning, the 11th May saw me bird watching with my son at the Reserve. A quick scan of the Badger Sett revealed a surprise, the Badgers are dragging Sycamore leaves and young shoots in to the Sett. We were fascinated by this and followed the trail for quite a long way, they even seemed to be dragging the leaves over wood piles! Bird watching was amazing with a total of 31 species at the Reserve and the Quarry. Noticed definite occupants in one of the boxes but our highlight was a Lapwing sitting by the side of the lake behind the Reserve, bonus! Joey had seen Lapwings in the farmland in Cuttlebrook Lane but I hadn't managed to find them - yet.

International Dawn Chorus Day

Sunday May 5th, set my alarm for 4.30a.m, thought I would go to the Reserve to hear the Dawn Chorus and it was definitely worth it. Heard a very loud, harsh cawing from one of the high up nests.

Badgers and Birds

Finally got the energy to go Badger watching on 4th May. Changed my place and stood, very still, next to the double tree. As the sun faded away the chorus of Tawny Owls was absolutely amazing! It began in the small copse in Temple Lane and the Reserve Owls soon joined in, wonderful. I kept being surprised by small birds who I though were rather late going to roost, until I realised, they were little bats flitting around me. saw something large in the grass out of the corner of my eye, too scared to move in case I frightened it. turned out to be a beautiful fox who came within a few feet of me. I watched him right across the field where I saw another shape that I'm sure was a Badger then it became impossible to see. Great night though.

Quick visit tonight revealed that the Badgers are now busy dragging Bluebell leaves in to the sett, they must be relieved to find green stuff at last. Sadly there were more beer bottles and who ever is going there is also ripping branches off young trees and flinging them in the brook - why? Some education is called for I think.

Blooming Beautiful!

Reserve really starting to blossom now, Wood Anemones, Violets, Moschatel, Coltsfoot, Saxifrage and of course the wonderful Butterbur all looking amazing when the sun shines. The smell of garlic is just everywhere. It's that great time for birdwatching now, all the birds are busy but there are still not enough leaves to hide them. This morning we saw or heard 25 different species including Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Green Woodpecker, Chiff chaffs,Blackcap and more. Just as we were leaving there was a real commotion above us and at first I thought it was the Sparrowhawk but it turned out to be a Thrush having a real go at a Crow, the plucky little bird suceeded in chasing the Crow right across the field!
Sadly not everyone visits the reserve to enjoy it's beauty as I found out when I had to remove certain items of litter today. Stuff like lighters and empty booze bottles really do seem out of place amidst all that natural beauty.

Guided Walk

Temple Balsall Nature Reserve

 Guided Walk

Sunday 5th May 2013 at 2 pm

Meet at the Main Car Park in Fen End Road

Adults £2

Just realised - now I'm going to start moaning about the sad lack of Butterflies, check out the photos on 12th March 2012.

At Last

Funny couple of weeks at the reserve, nothing new seemed to be happening with all the cold weather. Frogspawn appeared in the  pond across the road on 3rd April but despite checking daily, nothing in the reserve ponds. Badgers seemed grateful for some extra food, peanuts and grapes and took all the hay for bedding, unless the deer ate it! Some kids have been in chucking logs in to the brook to make a bridge, my first feelings were of anger but then I remembered I'd have loved doing something like that as a kid, better than playing the X Box! While I was down by the brook I also spotted a beautiful Badger print.
Things began to warm up on the 6th April when we saw 23 different species of birds in and around the reserve including Long-tailed Tits with nesting material and a pair of Great Tits using one of the boxes.
Finally on 14th LOTS of frogspawn has appeared in exactly the same place as last year!
Photos are: Badger print
Otter spraint and.......
Frogspawn!

The snow has seriously curbed all badger activity! I'm guessing they sensibly stay underground. I noticed this evening that they have taken all of the hay into the sett.
The reserve still looks wonderful in the sunshine with the last of the Snowdrops, the Daffodils and Primroses and newly emerging Butterbur. I've just downloaded the BirdTrack app from the BTO and I'm keen to get lots of sightings at the reserve.

Wow! Lots of Badger activity, a lot of digging has been taking place and by the look of the latrines there is no shortage of food. More Otter like prints, this time on the reserve side of Badger bridge.
After careful scrutiny of the prints, we think they are too small for an Otter as they are between 2cm and 4cm long, as both sets were close to the river we think that they could be Water Vole.

Beautiful evening at the reserve. Still no frogspawn but I did see perfect otter prints at the bottom of the new steps (4) and also new otter spraint under bridge, took photos in low light and will add later. Pete saw a Green Woodpecker on the tree with birdbox 11 on it and also the Woodcock emerging from under the Yew tree in the corner, seems as though the little Muntjac stag has moved out and the Woodcock has moved in! Let's hope he keeps away from the guns. Lots of Badger latrines at the far edge of the reserve, at least 6, I'm guessing they are to mark their boundary?

Down at the reserve again tonight searching for the first frogspawn. We're already 3 days later than last year. All we saw on the ponds was....ICE!!! Walking around the reserve we disturbed a hawk who had recently killed a pigeon, didn't get to see the hawk close up, but our best guess is a Sparrowhawk. Saw a Heron flying over, possibly landed in the lake.
Lots of badger activity, will return to Badger watching closer to the full moon!

Nature Force work party 7th February 2013

Thanks for all your work