Nature Notes
by Andy Johnson
Nature Notes – October 2020
With dusk falling earlier, now is a good time to see tawny owls sitting at high points in the village as they contest for winter territories by hooting. There are regular sightings of a barn owl sitting on posts between Fence Dyke Lane and The Grange.
Nature Notes – September 2020
Summer came to a sudden stop on Bank Holiday weekend with strong northerly winds significantly reducing the air temperature. Despite this we still have a handful of nesting house martins and a pair of swallows.
Nature Notes – August 2020
At this time of year, with many flowers in full bloom, butterflies are evident, especially brimstone, peacock, red admiral and small tortoiseshell. Occasionally we have a huge influx of painted ladies from Africa.
Nature Notes – July 2020
So far June has been anything but ‘flaming’ with strong north and easterly winds bringing cool, damp weather from the North Sea. Despite this the rooks have fledged and peace has returned to those who live near the Green! We have a good number of house martins nesting in the village, but only a few…
Nature Notes – June 2020
Storm Arthur has brought spring to an abrupt end, wrecking blossom trees and gardens and scorching Mary & Rory Clarke’s apple tree! On a brighter note, Audrey & Gordon McQuillen have had a song thrush nest in their garden and have watched the fledglings being fed snails and slugs.
Nature Notes – May 2020
April is the month when winter gives way to summer. The winter thrushes have been replaced by house martins and swallows, of which we have one or two already.
Nature Notes – April 2020
Spring has finally arrived, the dawn chorus is well underway and skylarks are singing. Daylight is rapidly increasing, encouraging the re-birth of plant and animal life. Those of you with ponds will no doubt have plenty of frog spawn (photo thanks to Liz Davies) which will be followed by toad spawn towards the end of…
Nature Notes – March 2020
February has proven to be an extremely wet and windy month with the Swale breaking its banks on three occasions. The large areas of flood land have attracted blackheaded and herring gulls, together with lapwing, golden plover and curlew, all of which will be dispersing to their breeding grounds within the next week or two.…
Nature Notes February 2020
Winter has been very mild and wet, resulting in large pools of water in fields attracting Little Egrets.
Nature Notes – Jan 2020
At this time of the year with darkness dominating the day, most birds spend much of their time roosting. Larger birds such as rooks, jackdaws and pigeons will often form huge roosts both for protection and warmth. Many birds have the ability to sleep with one eye open, i.e. shutting down half the brain while…