Nature

The aim of the Trust is to manage the site in such a way as to enhance the environment for native flora and fauna. Springtime sees celandines, violets, primroses, cowslips, oxlips and bluebells in the copse and field margins. Badgers, and foxes leave trails in the grass and birds aplenty can be seen and heard in the thickets.

In summer the meadows are alive with butterflies, bumble bees and other insects and the occasional orchid can be found under the hedgerow.

A small pond has been renovated and water mint, ragged robin and purple loosestrife have been planted on the margins.

Native trees have been planted, hedges layed and brambles brought under control.

Brown Hairstreak eggs

A visit by local butterfly experts Jean and Dudley Cheeseman early in 2009 confirmed the presence of eggs of the elusive Brown Hairstreak butterfly. The eggs are hard to spot but, apparently, easier to find than the adults themselves. These butterflies emerge late in the year laying their eggs on young Blackthorn growth. Over zealous hedge trimming then is something to be avoided, and we will need to consider leaving areas of blackthorn untouched each year.

Nature Notes July 2010

Highlights during the three visits during the breeding-season between April & June. Common Buzzards were noted in display over the reserve and are probably breeding in the woodland to the north of the large meadow. A Red Kite drifted high over the reserve towards Somerton Moor (see picture) on June 20th, there are a few wandering individuals around in the County at the moment. Two Wood Pigeon nests were found in the copse at the end of the burial ground both containing two eggs. A Cuckoo calling to the north of the reserve on May 14th briefly touched reserve airspace as it flew over, while both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard calling. Wrens, Robins and Blackbirds have all bred successfully within the reserve and a Song Thrush carrying food on June 20th was a nice sight ,it flew towards the bungalow copse. Three male Chiffchaffs have held territory during the Spring, and a pair of Common Whitethroats were busy feeding near fledged young by the Oak where the two meadows join on June 20th. Pretty sure I heard a Spotted Flycatcher call on May 14th but have failed to locate one yet, also two male Blackcaps are holding territory within the reserve. Family parties of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch and Bullfinch were all seen in hedgerows around the reserve on June 20th but all may have travelled from the nearby woods rather than having bred within the reserve. The small Rookery by the gate produced plenty of youngsters and a pair of Carrion Crows were feeding young in one of the reserve oaks on May 14th.

Nature Notes 11.08.2009

The following species of butterfly were identified at the site by Jean and Dudley Cheesman:

Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper
Small Skipper
Common Blue
Holly Blue
Brown Argus
Small Copper
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Brimstone
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
Painted Lady
Brown Hairstreak
Purple Hairstreak
Speckled Wood
(One fast flying) Clouded Yellow

Earlier in the year saw numerous Marbled Whites and Ringlets.

April 2010

Early Spring bird sitings

from Roger Musgrove

Three visits on Feb 11th, March 13th and 30th. As expected not much to report although on Feb 11th a roving party of Blue and Great Tits on the edge of the copse around the large meadow contained Marsh and Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldcrest. On March 13th six Bullfinches were present around the entrance to the site and both Blackbird and Song Thrush were singing. More to see and hear on the 30th with a lot more birds in song including Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. Overhead several Buzzards soared and called, a female Sparrowhawk zipped through but the real sign of spring was the sight of two Sand Martins heading north-west over the reserve

Late Summer Sightings

from Roger Musgrove

Two brief visits in July and August were as expected fairly quiet on the bird front all the usual suspects were around Blackbirds, Nuthatch, Whitethroat etc, but a Spotted Flycatcher on August 4th was a bird I had expected to see but had failed to locate so far. We will never know whether it was a local breeder or an early returning migrant. A slightly longer visit on September 27th turned up several sightings of Hobby a bird which probably breeds fairly close to the reserve and a distant Peregrine over Somerton Moor. A small mixed tit flock on the woodland edge held a single Goldcrest and two Chiffchaffs while at least two Blackcaps were seen nearby. Plenty of Swallow and House Martin activity overhead involving several hundred at one point, probably local breeders gearing up ready for their journey south.