2015

We were on the telly!  Well our Sparrowhawks were!  Did you watch the David Attenborough documentary ‘The Hunt’ Part 3 ‘Hide and Seek’ on Sunday 15th November?  If so you would have watched our nesting female Sparrowhawk with chicks leave the nest and fly to accept prey from her mate at an ivy-covered tree stump.  This was our ‘plucking post’!

Female arrives to collect the kill Photo by Hamza Yassin

Female arrives to collect the kill
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

This image was taken in 2013 by Hamza (full sequence further down this page and on our Bird Tab) who kindly passed on our details to a documentary film-maker who came and filmed at the Reserve in 2014.

We had no guarantee that the footage would feature in a programme let alone when it would be aired.

 

 

What a wonderful surprise to be sitting watching ‘The Hunt’ on Sunday evening and suddenly see our Sparrowhawks and our plucking post!  It was a fabulous sequence to watch and our Sparrowhawks did us proud!

P.S. This particular plucking post has not been used this year

(18.11.15)

More photos from Apple Weekend

Outdoor cafe Photo by Fred Izzett

Outdoor cafe
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the picnic area by Seldom Pond Photo by Fred Izzett

Enjoying the picnic area by Seldom Pond
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Juicing Demonstration Photo by Fred Izzett

Apple Juicing Demonstration
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apples for sale Photo by Fred Izzett

Apples for sale
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taste before you buy Photo by Fred Izzett

Taste before you buy
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

Orchard Tour Photo by Fred Izzett

Orchard Tour
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan's Orchard Tour Photo by Fred Izzett

Jonathan’s Orchard Tour
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the Seldom Pond Boardwalk Photo by Fred Izzett

Enjoying the Seldom Pond Boardwalk
Photo by Fred Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31.10.15)

 

Apple Weekend 10 & 11 October 2015 news.  We were very lucky with the weather, although we did not have the hot sunshine of last year it stayed dry and was warm enough to have some of our cafe tables outdoors.

Mark ready for Apple Tasting Customers Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Mark ready for Apple Tasting Customers
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Fortunately we were ready before our official opening time as visitors arrived early and soon activities were under way.

 

 

Apple Tasting Customers Photo by Su Haselton

Apple Tasting Customers
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

It was not long before Mark had a steady stream of customers apple tasting, selecting their favourite flavours before moving on the buy.

 

 

 

 

Colouring pictures Photo by Su Haselton

Colouring pictures
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

This year we had a dedicated children’s corner (thank you to Charlotte and Paul for the use of their tent) where children heard and joined in stories, could colour-in pictures, make pictures ‘joining the dots (you can just see the bat picture) and make small paper tee shirts as part of a story.

 

Children's Corner Photo by Su Haselton

Children’s Corner
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

Their pictures were pegged up each day for all to see and admire.

 

 

Butterfly Mask Photo by Su Haselton

Butterfly Mask
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

One of the most popular activities was mask making, butterflies were particular favourites with the girls but soon owls, foxes and snakes made an appearance.

 

A big thank you to Tricia for all her time and effort preparing and running the children’s corner.

 

 

Orchard Tour Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Orchard Tour
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Orchard tours were well attended again this year and we treated Jonathan to a orange ‘high-viz’ vest for leading the walks!

 

 

Orchard Tour Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Orchard Tour
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall we had nearly 600 visitors over the weekend and we sold nearly 300 slices of delicious home-made cake and 75 chocolate squares.  Our fresh and pasteurised apple juice sold well again this year and apple juicing demonstrations were well attended, needless to say our cider sold out completely both days!

A warm thank you to everyone who gave their time and effort to make our Apple Weekend possible and a success and thank you to all our visitors for supporting us.

(20.10.15)

 

Green Park School visit.  Green Park School Year 2 Class visited our Nature Reserve last week and wrote a blog about their adventures.  It’s well worth a read click here

(29.9.15)

Moth morning and other insects and help from a team from Santander UK.  

The overnight weather for our moth morning event on Sunday 6th September did not bode well for a large catch in our moth trap but what we did get was a real treat!

Red Underwing Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Red Underwing
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

This moth with its wings closed looks nice but to some eyes probably a bit drab

but

 

 

Red Underwing Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Red Underwing
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

look when it flashed its red underwings.  This is the first Red Underwing to be recorded at Gorse Hill Nature Reserve.

 

Canary-shouldered Thorn Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Canary-shouldered Thorn
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

We also were able to show our visitors the lovely Canary-shouldered Thorn, Dusky Thorn and Gold Spot moths amongst others.

 

 

Burying Beetle Photo by Su Haselton

Burying Beetle
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

On Wednesday 9th our moth trap revealed that not only moths are attracted to the bright light.  This Burying Beetle was found in the bottom of the trap. This beetle buries dead mice and small birds and had to be photographed quickly on an outdoor table before it reached the ground as it disappears beneath the soil in a matter of seconds!

 

 

Carcina quercana Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Carcina quercana
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

Other finds in our moth trap included:

This micro moth is very distinctive and its forewings are edged with pink.

 

 

Rosy Rustic Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Rosy Rustic
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Turnip Moth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Turnip Moth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerald damselfly Photo by Mark Walters

Emerald damselfly
Photo by Mark Walters

 

Damselflies are still out and about around many of our ponds

 

 

 

male Common Darter Photo by Su Haselton

male Common Darter
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speckled Wood butterfly Photo by Su Haselton

Speckled Wood butterfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

and butterflies make the most of splashes of Autumn sunshine

 

 

Red Admiral Photo by Su Haselton

Red Admiral
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our path in Willowbank Wood has, over time, become very rutted and needed repairing and making suitable for both people and vehicles to use.  We were very pleased to have Santander UK help us build a more robust pathway as part of their Community Day Scheme.  They were very lucky with the weather!

Santander UK Team

Santander UK Team

 

 

 

 

 

Santander UK Team

Santander UK Team

 

 

 

 

Santander UK Team creating a path in Willowbank Wood

Santander UK Team creating a path in Willowbank Wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santander UK Team in Willowbank Wood

Santander UK Team in Willowbank Wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.9.15)

Warm sunshine, wonderful wildlife and making hay!

Saturday 8th August was a warm summer day with plenty of sunshine for us and the wildlife to enjoy.

Peacock butterfly Photo by Su Haselton

Peacock butterfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Butterflies were everywhere, especially the really colourful Peacocks with their vivid eye-spots.

 

 

 

Clashing Colours Photo by Su Haselton

Clashing Colours
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Margaret’s Meadow copses were also full of colour

 

 

 

 

Brown Hare Photo by Su Haselton

Brown Hare
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

A very special treat – this Brown Hare was enjoying a snack in the sunshine in North Wood ride

 

Great Diving Beetle Photo by Su Haselton

Great Diving Beetle
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

Our new ponds are really showing signs of life with this Great Diving Beetle

 

Frog (and dragonfly) Photo by Su Haselton

Frog (and dragonfly)
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

and frog in the 5 Acre pond

 

 

 

Male Common Blue Damselfly Photo by Su Haselton

Male Common Blue Damselfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Damsel and dragonflies around Rough Hey pond and

 

 

Male Broad-bodied Chaser Photo by Su Haselton

Male Broad-bodied Chaser
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

this fabulous male Broad-bodied Chaser in Triangle Meadow pond. Mark positioned a branch out across the pond especially to attract basking insects

 

The weather window was too good an opportunity to pass up for hay making.

North Meadow cut for hay Photo by Su Haselton

North Meadow cut for hay
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Many of our wildflower hay meadows have now been cut, flicked and ready to be baled

 

 

 

Baling Hay Photo by Su Haselton

Baling Hay
Photo by Su Haselton

 

5 Acre meadow was in full swing baling and loading transport to the barn

 

Collecting Hay Bales Photo by Su Haselton

Collecting Hay Bales
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rather late evening to get this finished!

 

 

 

 

(10.8.15)

 

Heralds, Grey Daggers and Mother of Pearl – it can only be more moths!

Here are some more photos by Liz:

Herald Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Herald
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Grey Dagger Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Grey Dagger
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother of Pearl Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Mother of Pearl
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Silver Y Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Silver Y
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poplar Grey Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Poplar Grey
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Shaded Broad-bar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Shaded Broad-bar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesser Yellow Underwing Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Lesser Yellow Underwing
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Dun-bar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Dun-bar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acleris forsskaleana Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Acleris forsskaleana
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Common White Wave Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Common White Wave
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27 July 2015)

An ‘Empress’ and more clever moth disguises.

Our new pond in Rough Hey meadow has been treated with barley straw as an experiment to increase the health of the pond. Gradually the barley straw has been sinking below the surface and it has proved an irresistible attraction to dragon and damsel flies as ideal sites to lay their eggs.

Female Emperor Dragonfly Rough Hey Pond Photo by Mark Walters

Female Emperor Dragonfly Rough Hey Pond
Photo by Mark Walters

This wonderful female Emperor looked at several stalks before settling on this patch to lay her eggs and allowing Mark time to take this superb photo. As always you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Liz has been busy again photographing more new species of moth attracted to our new trap:

Swallow-tailed Moth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Swallow-tailed Moth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Slender Brindle Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Slender Brindle
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scalloped Oak Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Scalloped Oak
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Eyed Hawkmoth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Eyed Hawkmoth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clay Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Clay
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Burnished Brass Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Burnished Brass
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buff Arches Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Buff Arches
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Bordered Pug Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Bordered Pug
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22 July 2015)

 

 

Emperors, ghosts and chocolate bees!

Male Emperor dragonfly Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Male Emperor dragonfly
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

Our new ponds around the Reserve are attracting a number of dragonflies. The pond in the 5 Acre wildflower hay meadow is not only a feeding area for Broad-bodied Chasers but also this male Emperor dragonfly is a regular visitor.

 

male Emperor Dragonfly Photo by Jonathan Atkins

male Emperor Dragonfly
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

 

 

 

As always you can click on these photos to enlarge them

 

 

 

 

 

Moth Trap Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Moth Trap
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

The 5 Acre meadow is also where our new moth trap is in operation at the moment. It’s run on mains power and is much larger and more powerful than our old Heath Trap. At the moment it is capturing large numbers of moths keeping Liz occupied for hours and hours identifying, recording and photographing moths.

 

 

Ghost moth (male) Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Ghost moth (male)
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Moths have wonderful names such as these Ghost moths

 

 

Ghost Moth (female) Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Ghost Moth (female)
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacle moth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Spectacle moth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Can you see why the Spectacle moth gets it’s name?

 

 

 

Small Magpie Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Small Magpie
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Peppered moth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Peppered moth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peach Blossom Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Peach Blossom
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Light Emerald Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Light Emerald
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Grey Arches Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Grey Arches
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buff Tip Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Buff Tip
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

This Buff Tip is very well camouflaged as a twig.

 

 

Green Silver Lines Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Green Silver Lines
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Coxcomb Prominent Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Coxcomb Prominent
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bordered Sallow Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Bordered Sallow
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

Angle Shades Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Angle Shades
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 4 July we joined forces with Lancashire Wildlfife Trust Plan Bee Project Officer Ben Hargreaves click here to survey bees on the Reserve.

Chocolate mining bee Photo by Su Haselton

Chocolate mining bee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Bees come in all shapes and sizes and also have some wonderful common names. For example this is andrena carantonica, the chocolate mining bee.

 

 

 

catching a bee Photo by Su Haselton

catching a bee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Ben led the group armed with nets and small containers to capture, identify, record and release our finds.

 

Looking for bees around Seldom Pond Photo by Su Haselton

Looking for bees around Seldom Pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

We started at Seldom Pond in Cabin Wood as various wildflowers, dog roses and bramble are in bloom.

 

Trying to identify a bee Photo by Su Haselton

Trying to identify a bee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

We were quite successful in the small border outside the Cabin. Our main finds were in the area outside the polytunnel (used to harden off the wildflowers grown to plant out in the meadows), the rides in Willowbank and Bluebell woods and the 5 Acre wildflower hay meadow.

 

Buff-tailed bumblebee Photo by Su Haselton

Buff-tailed bumblebee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

Common carder bee Photo by Su Haselton

Common carder bee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-tailed worker bumblebee Photo by Su Haselton

Red-tailed worker bumblebee
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gwynne's mining bee (andrena bicolor) Photo by Su Haselton

Gwynne’s mining bee (andrena bicolor)
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lacewing Photo by Su Haselton

Lacewing
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

Some did not confine themselves to catching bees!

 

 

The species we found were: Red-tailed bumblebee (worker), Common Carder bee, Early bumblebee, Small Garden bumblebee, Buff-tailed bumblebee, Tree bumblebee (Queen), male Cuckoo bumblebee (vestalis), andrena carantonica (chocolate mining bee), andrena bicolor (Gwynne’s mining bee) and a Leaf Cutter bee.

Our thanks goes to Ben for leading the group and sharing his knowledge.

(15 July 2015)

More moths for our collection. Liz has been busy again identifying and photographing moths found in our new moth trap.

Shoulder - striped Wainscot Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Shoulder – striped Wainscot
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Small Angle Shades Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Small Angle Shades
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Carpet Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Garden Carpet
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Buff Ermine Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Buff Ermine
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Drinker caterpillar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

The Drinker caterpillar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Do you remember this from May last year?

 

 

 

 

 

Drinker Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Drinker
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Well … it turns into this!

 

 

 

 

Uncertain! But worth a photo Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Uncertain Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

Yes Uncertain really is the name of this moth!

 

 

 

 

 

(6 July 2015)

 

Stand still for 5 minutes. It is amazing what you can see when walking around the Reserve if you take time out from your walk and stand still for just 5 minutes. All these photographs were taken on 27 June stopping for 5 minutes in various locations taking time out from the bird feeder round.

Dog Rose Photo by Su Haselton

Dog Rose
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Entering Willowbank Wood you walk down past several Dog Roses and then down towards an open area of ride filled at this time of year with wildflowers.

 

 

 

 

Male Common Blue Photo by Su Haselton

Male Common Blue
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Stand still in this wildlfower patch and marvel at the insect life as well as the beauty of the flowers and grasses

 

Male Banded Demoiselle Photo by Su Haselton

Male Banded Demoiselle
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Skipper In Willowbank Wood ride Photo by Su Haselton

Large Skipper In Willowbank Wood ride
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wildflowers in Bluebell Wood June 2015 Photo by Su Haselton

Wildflowers in Bluebell Wood June 2015
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Further down in Bluebell Wood there is another open wildflower area

 

Yellow Rattle Photo by Su Haselton

Yellow Rattle
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male Whitethroat Photo by Su Haselton

Male Whitethroat
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

The Outcrop public footpath is a favourite spot for Whitethroat. Both male and female made an appearance.

 

 

Male Meadow Brown Photo by Su Haselton

Male Meadow Brown
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

In North Meadow there were several Meadow Brown butterflies

 

 

 

Lesser Stitchwort Photo by Su Haselton

Lesser Stitchwort
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

In Margaret’s Meadow down low there are patches of Lesser Stitchwort

 

 

Large Skipper in Margaret's Meadow Photo by Su Haselton

Large Skipper in Margaret’s Meadow
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

and more Large Skippers as well as Common Blue butterflies.

 

hazelnut forming in North Wood in June Photo by Su Haselton

hazelnut forming in North Wood
in June
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Hazelnuts are forming on several Hazels in North Wood

 

 

 

Triangle Meadow Pond June 2015 Photo by Su Haselton

Triangle Meadow Pond June 2015
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

The surround of new pond in Triangle Meadow is ‘greening-up’ well and attracting a Broad-bodied chaser

 

 

Male Azure Damselfly Photo by Su Haselton

Male Azure Damselfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Back to Cabin Wood to see Azure Damselflies around Seldom Pond

 

Male & Female Azure Damselflies Photo by Su Haselton

Male & Female Azure Damselflies
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well worth the time out!

 

(3 July 2015)

 

More lovely photos of moths taken by Liz.

Scorched Wing Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Scorched Wing
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Purple Bar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Purple Bar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Ingrailed Clay Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Ingrailed Clay
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poplar Hawkmoth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Poplar Hawkmoth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Green Arches Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Green Arches
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Middle-barred Minor Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Middle-barred Minor
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesser Swallow Prominent Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Lesser Swallow Prominent
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Common Wainscot Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Common Wainscot
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clouded Border Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Clouded Border
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brimstone Moth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Brimstone Moth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Brown China Mark Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Brown China Mark
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elephant Hawkmoth Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Elephant Hawkmoth
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27 June 2015)

 

Wildflower and Butterfly Walk 14 June followed by a selection of lovely moth photos taken by Liz .

Start of Wildflower Walk Photo by Su Haselton

Start of Wildflower Walk
Photo by Su Haselton

 

The weather forecast was for sunshine and no rain. Unfortunately it was overcast and there was some drizzle so waterproof coats were handy.

 

A good crowd of 20 people set off and we were fortunate to have Hilary Bedford lead the walk again this year.

Green Alkanet Photo by Su Haselton

Green Alkanet
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Our route this time took us down the road past our polytunnels and orchard following the footpath down past the area of scrub land and Aughton Cliffs Wood. All down this path Hilary pointed out lots and lots of wildflowers and grasses from two different types of buttercup (meadow and creeping), cow parsley, Yorkshore Fog grass, Common Vetch to garden escapees such as Aquilegia. This Green Alkanet was nestling just by our wooden gate entrance to the polytunnel.

 

 

Southern Marsh Orchid Photo by Su Haselton

Southern Marsh Orchid
Photo by Su Haselton

 

We wandered along the grassy rides though Willowbank and Bluebell Woods, usually a haven for butterflies but the poor weather meant that not a butterfly was in sight! We had a whole range of wildflowers and grasses to look at ranging from this beautiful Southern Marsh Orchid to the humble White Dead Nettle.

 

White Deadnettle Photo by Su Haselton

White Deadnettle
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we walked back along the public footpath up to the Outcrop, again many of the wildflowers were snuggled down in the verges alongside the footpath and are probably unseen by many walkers.

Wildflower Walk Outcrop Track Photo by Su Haselton

Wildflower Walk Outcrop Track
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Last year we had Bee Orchids flowering on the Outcrop but unfortunately we could not find any this year but there were many other little treasures to look at.

 

 

As the walk was drawing to a close the drizzly rain had set in so we all headed back to the cabin for a welcome cuppa and a slice of homemade cake and to compare notes on what we had seen.

Here is the list of the wildflowers and grasses we recorded with a few more photos:

Silverweed Photo by Su Haselton

Silverweed
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Wildflowers:

Orange Hawkweed (Fox & Cubs), Meadow Buttercup, Cow Parsley, Creeping Buttercup, Common Catsear, Hawbit (unclassified), Common Mouse-ear, Red Campion, Common Vetch, Forgetmenot (unidentified sub-species), Ribwort Plantain, Common Cleavers, Spear Thistle, Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Geranium), Common Comfrey, White Dead Nettle, Hogweed, Hedge Woundwort, Meadow Cranesbill, Meadowsweet, Ox-eye Daisy, Tufted Vetch, Ragged Robin, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Southern Marsh Orchid, Yellow Rattle, Cuckooflower (Lady’s Smock), Marsh Marigold, Yellow Flag Iris, Rosebay Willowherb, Green Alkanet, , Dovesfoot Cranesbill (Geranium), Lady’s Mantle, Yarrow, Wood Avens (Herb Bennet), White Clover, Greater Plantain, Greater Stitchwort, Black Knapweed (Common), Common Sorrell, Meadow Vetchling, Silverweed, Heath Bedstraw, Foxglove, Sheep’s Sorrell, Kidney Vetch, Pineappleweed, Burdock (unclassified), Herb Robert, Common Chickweed, Germander Speedwell and Ground Elder.

Grasses: Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog, Ryegrass, Crested Dogstail, Mat Grass, Soft Brome and Barren Brome.

Pineappleweed Photo by Su Haselton

Pineappleweed
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Greater Stitchwort Photo by Su Haselton

Greater Stitchwort
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a new moth trap which has been set up in Cabin Wood and we have caught a wide variety of moths. Liz has spent many happy hours identifying, recording and photographing them. Here are some of her photos:

White Ermine Photo by Liz Brotherstone

White Ermine
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Treble Lines Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Treble Lines
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Small Square Spot Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Small Square Spot
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shuttle-shaped Dart Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Shuttle-shaped Dart
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

Pebble Prominent Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Pebble Prominent
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Heart and Dart Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Heart and Dart
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flame Shoulder Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Flame Shoulder
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

Common Swift Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Common Swift
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnabar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Cinnabar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

Ancylis badiana Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Ancylis badiana
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Svenssons Copper Underwing caterpillar Photo by Liz Brotherstone

Svenssons Copper Underwing caterpillar
Photo by Liz Brotherstone

 

 

We also managed to find a Svenssons Copper Underwing caterpillar as well!

 

 

 

(19 June 2015)

 

New Reserve signs, Dawn Chorus singers, views and wildlife sightings.

New Reserve Sign on Public Footpath Photo by Su Haselton

New Reserve Sign on Public Footpath
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

We decided that we wanted to update our Reserve sign on the public footpath leading up to the Outcrop and make it more visible. What do you think?

 

 

New Sign for Devil's Wall Meadow Photo by Su Haselton

New Sign for Devil’s Wall Meadow
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

We also want to show people the names of some of our meadows that can be seen from the public footpaths. This is the first sign showing Devil’s Wall Meadow, this can be seen from the Outcrop at the side of the ‘Rambler’s Bench’.

 

 

 

On 23 May we held our annual Dawn Chorus walk around the Reserve recording the birds we hear and see. Here are the singers (in order of sighting):

Blackbird, Skylark, Pheasant, Song Thrush, Robin, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Tawny Owl chick, Jay, Magpie, Willow Warbler, Kestrel, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Swallow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellow Wagtail (flying overhead a first for the Reserve), Black-headed Gull, Jackdaw, Collared Dove and Mistle Thrush. Plus some bats!

32 species this year, fewer than in the last 2 years (41 in 2014 and 43 in 2013) but it is ‘the luck of the draw’ on the morning. Unfortunately the weather was not very kind and everyone needed to be well wrapped up against the cold.

Common Shrew Photo by Su Haselton

Common Shrew
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Our small mammal survey on 6 June was quite disappointing with several of our Longworth traps disturbed, probably by a hungry hedgehog after the food. Our consolation was finding 4 Common Shrews.

 

Bees Mating Photo by Su Haselton

Bees Mating
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

We also found these bees mating in the sunshine.

 

 

 

 

Oak Gall Photo by Su Haselton

Oak Gall
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

BBC Springwatch this year featured galls found on oak trees, these are some of ours. Possibly this is an Oak Apple gall.

 

 

 

 

Froglet Photo by Su Haselton

Froglet
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

If you scroll down the page you will see the photos at the end of 2014 showing the construction of our 6 new ponds. The pictures featured the pond being dug in our 5 Acre Meadow. Already there is life. We saw tadpoles a few weeks ago and now we have froglets, great diving beetles, water boatmen and hovering dragonflies. Wildlife soon discovers new habitats.

Froglet in 5 Acre Pond Photo by Su Haselton

Froglet in 5 Acre Pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

The froglet soon recovered from its strange encounter with Rob’s hand!

 

 

 

Veg Plot looking colourful Photo by Su Haselton

Veg Plot looking colourful
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

The Veg Plot is looking very colourful at this time of year

 

 

Wildflowers awaiting planting Photo by Su Haselton

Wildflowers awaiting planting
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

We have plenty of wildflowers to plant out

 

 

 

Wildflowers around Seldom Pond Photo by Su Haselton

Wildflowers around Seldom Pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Seldom Pond in Cabin Wood is well worth a visit

 

 

Seldom Pond colourful in June Photo by Su Haselton

Seldom Pond colourful in June
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13 June 2015)

 

The Secret World of Newts Event 16 May 2015. There was a good turn out for our evening event and we were blessed with fine weather. Newts are most active after dark so we started the event at 9pm.

Newts by Torchlight Photo by Su Haselton

Newts by Torchlight
Photo by Su Haselton

 

The day had been sunny so when the event started the light had not fully faded but it was not long before our new powerful torches really penetrated the surface of Seldom Pond and we could see a variety of newts rising up for a breath of air.

 

 

 

Great Crested Newt Photo by Su Haselton

Great Crested Newt
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

A very recent survey of Seldom Pond by the South Lancashire Amphibian and Reptile Group had found over 100 Great Crested Newts so we were confident of success.

Our first newt was a male Smooth Newt but soon Great Crested appeared and pond dipping became a fun but serious business!

Great Crested Newt Belly Pattern photo by Su Haselton

Great Crested Newt Belly Pattern
photo by Su Haselton

 

The belly patterns of Great Crested Newts are individual to each newt and are photographed and used in survey work to determine population numbers. Fortunately we had a licensed handler with us so the belly pattern could be shown to our visitors.

 

Caddisfly photo by Su Haselton

Caddisfly
photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Pond dipping did not just involve newts; there was a variety of other pond life to see such as Caddisfly, Pond Skaters and Water Boatmen to name but a few.

 

 

 

Pond Skater photo by Su Haselton

Pond Skater
photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

There were other things to see and hear during the evening; small bats were flying and feeding around the pond and, close to the Cabin, a Tawny Owl could be heard softly calling.

 

 

 

We ended back at the Cabin with tea, coffee and homemade cake; a tasty end to a lovely evening.

(29 May 2015)

Look what we found!

Tawny Owl chick Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Tawny Owl chick
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

This beautiful Tawny owl chick was found when surveying nest boxes on Saturday 9th May

 

 

 

 

 

(12 May 2015)

 

A new look for Spring. Recent visitors will have seen that the area in front of the barn at the top of the car park has a new look. We obtained funding to put in a concrete apron because when wet, this area was rather a mud bath!

new path from car park to Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

new path from car park to Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

We have also put in a new path from the car park to Cabin Wood to save visitors crossing in front of the barn.

 

 

 

As you can see we have covered the path with wood chip (our own) to save it turning too muddy and we have also used wood chip to refurbish some of the more muddy path areas in Cabin Wood itself.

Path into Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Path into Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring has brought its own colour to Cabin Wood with

Cowslips Photo by Su Haselton

Cowslips
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

vibrant yellow cowslips and delicate blue English bluebells

 

 

Bluebells Photo by Su Haselton

Bluebells
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whitethroat Photo by Su Haselton

Whitethroat
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Our Spring migrant birds have arrived. Chiffchaffs have been singing for some time now across the Reserve but Willow Warblers, Swallows, Blackcaps and Whitethroats have also made an appearance.

 

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Photo by Mark Walters

Great Spotted Woodpecker
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

Great Spotted Woodpeckers have nested, many other bird species have either nested and are sitting on eggs or nest building.

 

 

On sunnier days butterflies have also made an appearance, Peacocks, Commas and Speckled Wood butterflies have been seen.

 

 

(1 May 2015)

 

Local MP visits Gorse Hill. On Saturday 7 March Rosie Cooper MP for West Lancashire visited Gorse Hill Nature Reserve..

Rosie Cooper viewing wood carving totem pole by the late Peter Freeman Photo by Su Haselton

Rosie Cooper viewing wood carving totem pole by the late Peter Freeman
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Our first destination was Cabin Wood where immediately we found Derek painting wood preservative on the carved totem pole, created and donated by the late Peter Freeman (who sadly died last year).

 

 

Rosie Cooper with Derek and Jonathan Photo by Su Haselton

Rosie Cooper with Derek and Jonathan
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transplanting snowdrops in Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Transplanting snowdrops in Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Rosie also stopped and chatted to Charlotte and Florence who were busy transplanting snowdrops along the side of the main path.

(We regularly split and transplant clumps snowdrops ‘in the green’ )

 

 

A stroll in Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

A stroll in Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

After the stroll through Cabin Wood we took Rosie on a tour of the rest of the Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Rosie Cooper chatting to some of our volunteers Photo by Su Haselton

Rosie Cooper chatting to some of our volunteers
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

From the outcrop we went up through the hay meadows looking at some of the new ponds and to Gorsey Croft to check progress on the new woodland plantation.

 

Then down to the new orchard in the 12 Acre where Rosie met some of the volunteers who were working in there. We followed this by a visit to Willowbank and Bluebell Woods.

 

 

Rosie with some of our volunteers Photo by Su Haselton

Rosie with some of our volunteers
Photo by Su Haselton

 

(14 March 2015)

Photographs by one of our visitors on Saturday 7th March. Viv kindly shared some of the photographs she took

Lesser Celandine Photo by Viv Downes

Lesser Celandine
Photo by Viv Downes

 

 

 

 

 

Male Bullfinch Photo by Viv Downes

Male Bullfinch
Photo by Viv Downes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long tail tit minus tail Photo by Viv Downes

Long tail tit minus tail
Photo by Viv Downes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look no tail Photo by Viv Downes

Look no tail
Photo by Viv Downes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View across the fields Photo by Viv Downes

View across the fields
Photo by Viv Downes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9 March 2015)

Sunday opening. On 1 March we opened our gates to visitors for the first time on a Sunday. The weather in the morning was bright and sunny although the wind was cold but as we approached the start time for the guided walk it began to rain. We had a steady flow of visitors up to that point and thought that the rain would spoil our day. We need not have worried, a sudden influx of people arrived for the walk and well wrapped up against the rain and wind we set off to visit parts of the Reserve not normally open to visitors.

Sunday guided walk - visiting one of the reed beds Photo by Su Haselton

Sunday guided walk – visiting one of the reed beds
Photo by Su Haselton

 

After visiting our Heritage Orchard we went down to the edge of Aughton Cliffs Brook to look at part of our reedbed system.

The brook borders the boundary of Willowbank and Bluebell Woods and we followed its course through these woods on our walk.

 

 

Sunday guided walk - visiting Gill's Pond Photo by Su Haselton

Sunday guided walk – visiting Gill’s Pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Visitors saw all four ponds in Willowbank and Bluebell Woods

 

First frog spawn seen 28 Feb 2015 Photo by Su Haselton

First frog spawn seen 28 Feb 2015
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

and were able to see the first frog spawn of the year in Gill’s Pond.

 

 

 

Sunday guided walk in Bluebell Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Sunday guided walk in Bluebell Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

The walk took us back along the hedge-line boundary and we peeked through the hedge to look at the new pond and the new orchard development in the 12 Acre field (the ground was far too muddy to venture in for a closer look!)

 

 

 

Fortunately the rain did not last long so most of the walk was in the dry.

The Cabin cafe was open selling hot drinks and homemade cakes which our visitors enjoyed.

Further open Sundays are planned throughout the year so please make a date in your diary for the first Sunday of each month to come and visit. The next open Sunday is Easter Sunday on 5th April.

(3 March 2015)

Reedbed maintenance, a new orchard and a cheeky robin.

Reedbed maintenance Photo by Su Haselton

Reedbed maintenance
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Towards the end of January our volunteers cut and cleared part of the reedbed bordering Aughton Cliffs Brook in Willowbank Wood as part of a three year rotation cycle.

Over time the reedbeds and banks become clogged with bramble and self-seeded trees which need to be cleared and some reeds cut to generate new growth.

 

 

We have been planning a new orchard for some time so when we obtained the funding it was time to order the trees and get digging. 70 trees were ordered and thanks to a very generous donation we were able to purchase a further 70.

We decided that the 12 Acre field would be the ideal location for our new orchard.

a mechanical digger saved time Photo by Su Haselton

a mechanical digger saved time
Photo by Su Haselton

 

140 holes needed to be dug. Using a small mechanical digger certainly saved time and spared our volunteers back ache!

 

 

 

 

Preparing the tree stakes Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Preparing the tree stakes
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knocking in the stakes Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Knocking in the stakes
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes dug ready for the new apple trees Photo by Su Haselton

Holes dug ready for the new apple trees
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparation nearly finished Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Preparation nearly finished
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First tree planted Photo by Louise Reed

First tree planted
Photo by Louise Reed

 

 

Just another 139 to go!

 

We are planting a combination of dessert, culinary and cider apples and, in keeping with our existing orchard they are all heritage varieties. Some are on M25 root stock, others on M106 rootstock.

This is the first time we have planted cider specific varieties but cider lovers will have to wait a few years for these to be in full production! There are 8 cider varieties that include Dabinett, Morgan Sweet and Yarlington Mill.

 

There are 13 varieties of the dessert and culinary apples of which 10 varieties are new to the Reserve such as Ladies Finger of Lancaster, Allington Pippin and Tydeman’s Late Orange.

These trees will be cropping well in 4-5 years time and obviously we will be keeping you up to date with progress.

Cheeky Robin Photo by Su Haselton

Cheeky Robin
Photo by Su Haselton

 

On our regular bird feeding rounds on Wednesdays and Saturdays we always see plenty of Robins, some more curious and friendly than others. One Robin whose territory is in Bluebell Wood has become trusting enough to take seed out of your hand but has discovered that there is much more to be gained by going into the seed bucket and getting its own!

 

 

(27 February 2015)

Mid January update and signs of Spring.

Early Daffodils Photo by Su Haselton

Early Daffodils
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

24th January and some daffodils have already begun flowering in daffodil Walk

 

 

 

Hazel Flower Photo by Su Haselton

Hazel Flower
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

Hazel flowers have appeared on many of the trees and are quite hard to see at first

 

 

 

 

 

Snowdrop Photo by Mark Walters

Snowdrop
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

Snowdrops have appeared and some have opened their dainty flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluebell leaves are showing above ground in Bluebell Wood so we are hoping for a good show this year.

 

View of Triangle Meadow new pond Photo by Su Haselton

View of Triangle Meadow new pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Triangle Meadow also has one of our new ponds, this view is taken from the top of the hill in the meadow with Triangle Wood on the right. To the left lies Margaret’s Meadow with North Wood beyond and out across farmland to the Lancashire coast.

 

 

 

The new woodland in Gorsey Croft is doing well, the majority of trees have survived and are growing, some alder already have catkins

New Woodland for Gorsey Croft Photo by Su Haselton

New Woodland for Gorsey Croft
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

First planted in March 2014

 

 

 

 

Gorsey Croft new woodland January 2015 Photo by Su Haselton

Gorsey Croft new woodland January 2015
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

now in January 2015

 

 

 

 

Seldom Pond on a cold January day Photo by Su Haselton

Seldom Pond on a cold January day
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

We have had some very frosty days, as you can see the surface of Seldom Pond is frozen in places and the boardwalk is white with frost

 

 

 

New insect house from recycled rubbish Photo by Su Haselton

New insect house from recycled rubbish
Photo by Su Haselton

What can you recycle? Last November some bonfire night revellers left lots of rubbish on the outcrop so a couple of our volunteers went and cleared it all up. Amongst the rubbish was a box that had contained fireworks (presumably rockets) and was made of stiffened cardboard; it looked remarkably like the insect nest/hibernation boxes you can buy. Here it is housed in a wooden box to protect the cardboard from the weather mounted on a pole.

Come and see if you can spot it in Cabin Wood.

 

(26 January 2015)

Christmas and New Year news. We had our volunteer Christmas lunch at the Cabin on 17th December and, as usual, Betty one of our volunteers produced another pasta culinary success. Eddie, another volunteer, surprised us with a delicious beef casserole cooked by his mother Suzanne so there was plenty of food to go around. Just as well as everyone was hungry after a hard morning cutting back bramble.

Wildlife sightings got off to a good start after Christmas with a weasel being spotted in our little car park and a flock of about 40 Lapwing over one of our woodlands heading out to the farm fields beyond.

Look no tail feathers Photo by Mark Walters

Look no tail feathers
Photo by Mark Walters

 

On New Year’s Eve Mark spotted three Bullfinches around Seldom Pond and photographed this male who was missing his tail feathers. A near squeak with a predator perhaps?

 

 

 

 

 

Our first volunteering day of 2015 was Saturday 3rd and it got off to a very wet start; the rain got steadily heavier throughout the morning but, true to the local weather forecast, it dried and became brighter after lunch. Some of our volunteers took the opportunity of the wet morning to take down our Christmas decorations in the Cabin but others braved the wet to start the bird feeder round.

The brighter weather in the afternoon allowed us to see and hear 23 bird species as we went out and about on the Reserve. These included Tree and House Sparrows, a Goldcrest, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Great Spotted Woodpeckers . A flock of Long-tail Tits produced a wonderful acrobatic display and Goldfinches made the most of the Alder seeds. A Skylark singing overhead rounded off the day.

(4 January 2015)

Comments are closed.