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!