Today we enjoyed perfect weather, with the wood in its full spring glory. Because of the bird nesting season we were restricted in what we could do. The main task was to tidy up the area in the north east that gets used for parties and BMX biking. Once again we moved some logs (many of them burnt) and picked up plenty or litter, including small fragments of glass. Some new humps had been created for biking, and we levelled these off. It seems that timber used for path edging and stones used to improve muddy areas of paths had been deployed in the construction of some of these ramps. After a drinks break we checked out the whips down the eastern side again, removing some of the recent growth around them and attending to guards and canes. Hopefully these whips won’t need checking again this season.
I heard and saw a Garden Warbler about half way down the eastern side, the first time I have encountered this species in the wood, although it is not surprising. It tends to be rather secretive and very hard to detect except when singing for a few weeks in the spring. I also heard a Common Whitethroat close by, previously only seen at the southern tip. A Mistle Thrush was once again heard – it has been heard regularly this spring and I saw and photographed one a couple of weeks ago. This species is on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern, and I had not detected it in the wood prior to this spring. A Common Buzzard was heard and seen overhead, and some of us saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker during the drinks break.
by work party co ordinator
John Elwell
