2013

Work stopped for a Woodmouse

Late autumn early winter is an ideal time to undertake maintenance work in our ponds, providing of course the waterproof waders are waterproof! Several of our ponds have been infested with New Zealand Pygmy Weed. This is an invasive plant, inadvertently brought into some of our ponds by visiting wildlife.

Clearing New Zealand Pygmy Weed

Clearing New Zealand Pygmy Weed

 

Seldom Pond in particular was badly infested with this weed as well as needing other vegetation removal. Our newts (smooth, palmate and great-crested newts) need clear water so waders, rakes and excavator soon began to make inroads into the clearance work.

 

Spot the Woodmouse Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Spot the Woodmouse
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

Until a Woodmouse was disturbed and decided to take refuge on the excavator!

 

 

 

 

Now can you see it? Photo by Jonathan Atkins

Now can you see it?
Photo by Jonathan Atkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the Woodmouse was carefully moved to safer territory work continued. The spoil from the pond was piled around the margins to drain and allow any residual pond life time to get back into the water and then eventually removed.

Seldom Pond is now ready to welcome back the newts in the spring

After the Cleanout Photo by Su Haselton

After the Cleanout
Photo by Su Haselton

 

More fabulous photographs by Mark Walters.

Stakeout Photo By Mark Walters

Stakeout
Photo By Mark Walters

Mark treated himself to a ‘pop-up hide’ and staked out a feeding station on the Reserve armed with his camera and a flask of tea to see what he could capture.

 

 

These were the results

Male Bullfinch Photo By Mark Walters

Male Bullfinch
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Tit Photo By Mark Walters

Great Tit
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunnock Photo By Mark Walters

Dunnock
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Tit Photo By Mark Walters

Blue Tit
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal Tit Photo By Mark Walters

Coal Tit
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male Chaffinch Photo By Mark Walters

Male Chaffinch
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kestrel Photo By Mark Walters

Kestrel
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Photo By Mark Walters

Robin
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Sparrow Photo By Mark Walters

Tree Sparrow
Photo By Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Mere Bird Watching Festival 23/24 November 2013

We had a very busy weekend at Martin Mere. Mark and Su set up our display stand on the Friday afternoon so they would be ready in good time on Saturday morning to welcome visitors.

Waiting for opening time Photo by Rick from Wader Quest

Waiting for opening time
Photo by Rick from Wader Quest

 

Many organisations were there that we meet every year at Martin Mere but this year we made some new friends, Mark and Elis from Wader Quest (click here for details) who kindly took this photo of Mark and Su.

 

 

 

Thank you to all the people who came to talk to us over the weekend, we really enjoyed meeting you. We hope you will come and visit Gorse Hill soon.

 

Apple Day 12th October 2013

At long last the big day arrived and fortunately the weather stayed dry. All our preparations had been done

What's On Photo by Tim Izzett

What’s On
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

signs were up

 

 

 

 

 

Tempting tray of hand-picked Ellison's Orange Apples Photo by Tim Izzett

Tempting tray of hand-picked Ellison’s Orange Apples
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

apples were displayed

 

 

 

 

 

 

all ready to taste Photo by Tim Izzett

all ready to taste
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

and ready to taste

 

 

 

 

 

 

All we needed were visitors. We were not disappointed

try this one ...... Photo by Tim Izzett

try this one ……
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitors tasting and buying Photo by Tim Izzett

Visitors tasting and buying
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to choose from Photo by Tim Izzett

More to choose from
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple pressing was very popular with freshly made apple juice to taste and buy.

Apple Pressing Photo by Tim Izzett

Apple Pressing
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freshly made apple juice to try Photo by Tim Izzett

Freshly made apple juice to try
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orchard tours were well attended with discussions on planting, growing and pruning for those interested while others just explored

Orchard Tour Photo by Tim Izzett

Orchard Tour
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this tree is... Photo by Tim Izzett

and this tree is…
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

exploring the orchard Photo by Tim Izzett

exploring the orchard
Photo by Tim Izzett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Cabin we served tea, coffee and biscuits and visitors could enjoy their refreshments whilst looking at our displays of wildlife around the Reserve, photos of the apples and trees, tried and tested recipes to take away and tasting bite-size pieces of a wonderful apple and blackberry cake kindly made and donated by the mother of one of our volunteers.

Visitors were also able to walk round Cabin Wood, sit by the pond (if well wrapped up!) and visit the bird hide.

A very enjoyable afternoon.

Thanks to Tim for spending his afternoon taking these great photos.

Thanks also go to everyone who helped on our Apple Day on 12th October and, last but not least, thank you to everyone who came along and supported us.

 

The end of September already!

Preparing for Apple Day Photo by Su Haselton

Preparing for Apple Day
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Preparations are under way for Apple Day on 12th October

 

 

 

 

Acorn Photo by Su Haselton

Acorn
Photo by Su Haselton

 

A few of our oak trees in Cabin Wood are now mature enough to have formed acorns – no doubt the squirrels will be pleased.

 

 

 

Fabulous Rose Hips Photo by Su Haselton

Fabulous Rose Hips
Photo by Su Haselton

 

These wonderful rose hips can be seen just outside the bird hide in Cabin Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Sloes Photo by Su Haselton

Sloes
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Sloes are ripening all across the Reserve.

 

 

 

 

 

Elderberries Photo by Su Haselton

Elderberries
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

As are Elderberries.

 

 

 

 

 

Crab Apples Photo by Su Haselton

Crab Apples
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

We also have an abundance of Crab Apples

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although our wildflower hay meadows were cut earlier in the season, wildflowers have been coming into flower again. Here are just a few.

Ox-eye Daisy Photo by Su Haselton

Ox-eye Daisy
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meadow Cranesbill Photo by Su Haselton

Meadow Cranesbill
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clover Photo by Su Haselton

Clover
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August comes to an end.

New fungi both large and small are appearing in Cabin Wood along the woodland edges

More new fungi in Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

More new fungi in Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

New fungi appear Photo by Su Haselton

New fungi appear
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unripe Hazel Nut Photo by Su Haselton

Unripe Hazel Nut
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

Hazel nuts are forming. Hazel has a reputation as a magical tree. In some parts of England hazel nuts were carried as charms and/or held to ward off rheumatism.

 

 

 

Additions to Cabin Wood are proving a success. New Bug Hotels have been built by Louise and Anneli Reed to show how you can utilise all sorts of bits and bobs e.g. old Wellington boots and gloves, tea pots, broken flags, clay pipes and flower pots.

Bug Hotel - a new way to recycle unwanted odds and ends Photo by Su Haselton

Bug Hotel – a new way to recycle unwanted odds and ends
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative Bug Hotel Accommodation Photo by Su Haselton

Alternative Bug Hotel Accommodation
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Log Art by John Boyce Photo by Su Haselton

Log Art by John Boyce
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Images of Pond Life by John Boyce Photo by Su Haselton

Images of Pond Life by John Boyce
Photo by Su Haselton

 

One of our volunteers, John Boyce, has been busy providing his own art additions:

 

 

 

 

 

Full House Photo by Su Haselton

Full House
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

A new bird feeding station has been set up near the seating area by Seldom Pond and is proving a hit.

 

 

 

 

Early August berries are ripening and strange things are happening to Dog Roses!

Robin's Pincushion Photo by Su Haselton

Robin’s Pincushion
Photo by Su Haselton

This is a Robin’s Pincushion, also known as Bedeguar Gall. They can be found on the stems of wild roses such as Dog Roses and vary in colour from green to bright scarlet. The rose produces this gall for the larvae of a tiny gall wasp (Diplolepis rosae). The larvae develop into grubs, each in its own chamber within the gall, these grubs feed on the host plant throughout the winter and emerge as adults in spring.

Guelder Rose Berries Photo by Su Haselton

Guelder Rose Berries
Photo by Su Haselton

Rowan Berries Photo by Su Haselton

Rowan Berries
Photo by Su Haselton

The woodland rides are also buzzing with Hover Flies

Hover Fly Photo by Su Haselton

Hover Fly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Late July sunshine sees wildflowers, insects and butterflies spring into life.

Wherever you walk through Gorse Hill you are bound to see wonderful butterflies, especially Peacocks, Gatekeepers, Large Skippers and Speckled Woods.

Large Skipper Photo by Su Haselton

Large Skipper
Photo by Su Haselton

 

This is a familiar grassland butterfly; at rest it holds its wings open at an angle.

 

 

 

 

Speckled Wood Butterfly Photo by Su Haselton

Speckled Wood Butterfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Usually found on the margins of sunny woodland clearings and rides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peacock Butterfly Photo by Su Haselton

Peacock Butterfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

The unmistakeable Peacock Butterfly with its bright colours.

 

 

 

 

Gatekeeper Butterfly Photo by Su Haselton

Gatekeeper Butterfly
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

Usually this butterfly lives up to its name and can be found close to most of the gates on the Reserve.

 

 

 

 

One of our daytime moths, the Cinnabar is very distinctive with its red and black colour scheme but its caterpillars are even more brightly coloured; their yellow and black stripes warning predators such as birds that they are not nice to eat!

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars Photo by Su Haselton

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars
Photo by Su Haselton

There is an abundance of wildflowers at this time of year and Rosebay Willowherb is especially striking.

Rosebay Willowherb Photo by Su Haselton

Rosebay Willowherb
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

Rosebay Willowherb Photo by Su Haselton

Rosebay Willowherb
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Growth of Reed Mace Photo by Su Haselton

New Growth of Reed Mace
Photo by Su Haselton

 

The Reed Mace in some of our ponds is showing new growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birdsfoot Trefoil Photo by Su Haselton

Birdsfoot Trefoil
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Birdsfoot Trefoil is another common wildflower seen across the Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Sparrowhawk parents. A wonderful photographer Hamza Yassin has kindly allowed us to show his images of the Sparrowhawk parents of chicks photographed below. Hamza spent several days at Gorse Hill photographing these magnificent raptors. As always, just click on the photograph to enlarge the image.

He has captured their natural behaviour with the male bringing in the prey he has caught and plucking it. The male then calls for the female to leave the nest to collect the kill and take it to the chicks.

As you can imagine six chicks are hungry beaks to feed!

You can see more of Hamza’s photographs on his facebook page click here

Sparrowhawk on the plucking post Photo by Hamza Yassin

Sparrowhawk on the plucking post
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

Sparrowhawk with kill Photo by Hamza Yassin

Sparrowhawk with kill
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Female arrives to collect the kill Photo by Hamza Yassin

Female arrives to collect the kill
Photo by Hamza Yassin

Parents meeting at the plucking post Photo by Hamza Yassin

Parents meeting at the plucking post
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

 

Is someone there? Photo by Hamza Yassin

Is someone there?
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing food for the chicks Photo by Hamza Yassin

Preparing food for the chicks
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plucking posts are always messy! Photo by Hamza Yassin

Plucking posts are always messy!
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruffled Photo by Hamza Yassin

Ruffled
Photo by Hamza Yassin

 

A very special day. A pair of Sparrowhawks have been breeding in one of our woodlands. The nest has been monitored by Chris Bridge, a local licensed bird ringer. Six eggs were laid and all six chicks hatched. On 6 July the day arrived to ring the chicks and Chris brought along another two bird ringers to share the occasion. We went along too – well we could not miss this could we?

The Long Climb Up Photo by Su Haselton

The Long Climb Up
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Chris climbed skywards towards the nest whilst Hamza steadied the ladder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Looking in the Nest Photo by Su Haselton

Chris Looking in the Nest
Photo by Su Haselton

 

He eventually arrived at the nest and looked in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Wait Photo by Su Haselton

We Wait
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

We all waited anxiously whilst Chris carefully put the six chicks into a large blue bag to carry the chicks down the ladder.

 

 

Chicks In The Bag Photo by Su Haselton

Chicks In The Bag
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

At last Chris makes his way down with the chicks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our First Glimpse Photo by Su Haselton

Our First Glimpse
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Chris Attaches the Ring Photo by Su Haselton

Chris Attaches the Ring
Photo by Su Haselton

 

As with all raptors the female is larger than the male and this is clearly demonstrated by the Sparrowhawk chicks. The female is on the left in the photograph below and the male is on the right. In this nest we had three of each!

Female and Male Sparrowhawk Chicks Photo by Su Haselton

Female and Male Sparrowhawk Chicks
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Sparrowhawk Chick Photo by Su Haselton

Sparrowhawk Chick
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

12 July 2013 Mark Walters has provided us with a stunning photograph of a male yellowhammer, I have also included this in the Bird sub page as it is one of the Reserve’s iconic species

Male Yellowhammer Photo by Mark Walters

Male Yellowhammer
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you believe we have seen the longest day come and go? New blossom and fungi on 29 June 2013.

Dog Rose and Friend Photo by Su Haselton

Dog Rose and Friend
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Fungi in June Photo by Su Haselton

New Fungi in June
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bramble in Flower Photo by Su Haselton

Bramble in Flower
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Crab Apple Fruits Just Forming Photo by Su Haselton

New Crab Apple Fruits Just Forming
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rare sunny day! 25 May 2013

Welcome to Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Welcome to Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabin Wood Path Photo by Su Haselton

Cabin Wood Path
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newt Seat - carved by Peter Freeman Photo by Su Haselton

Newt Seat – carved by Peter Freeman
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

A lovely place to sit. Peter is a local craftsman; this is one of several chainsaw carvings he has donated to the Reserve.

 

 

Sandstone Frog - Sculpture by David Woodward Photo by Su Haselton

Sandstone Frog – Sculpture by David Woodward
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

David Woodward is a local artist. This is one of two sculptures David has created for the Reserve and located in Cabin Wood. The sculptures have been funded by the Arts Council.

 

Vibrant New Oak Leaves Photo by Su Haselton

Vibrant New Oak Leaves
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forget-Me-Not Photo by Su Haselton

Forget-Me-Not
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rowan Blossom and Friend Photo by Su Haselton

Rowan Blossom and Friend
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawthorn Blossom Photo by Su Haselton

Hawthorn Blossom
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crab Apple Blossom Photo by Su Haselton

Crab Apple Blossom
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out and about 6th & 20th April 2013:

Rowan Photo by Su Haselton

Rowan
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorse Photo by Su Haselton

Gorse
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marl Pit Pond Photo by Su Haselton

Marl Pit Pond
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Cowslip Photo by Su Haselton

Cowslip
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabulous photos by Mark Walters, one of our volunteers:

Long tailed tit Photo by Mark Walters

Long tailed tit
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Chestnut Photo by Mark Walters

Horse Chestnut
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linnets Photo by Mark Walters

Linnets
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesser Celandine Photo by Mark Walters

Lesser Celandine
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Sparrow Photo by Mark Walters

House Sparrow
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greedy Robin Photo by Mark Walters

Greedy Robin
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great tit Photo by Mark Walters

Great tit
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Photo by Mark Walters

Great Spotted Woodpecker
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frogspawn Photo by Mark Walters

Frogspawn
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunnock Photo by Mark Walters

Dunnock
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dainty Long tailed Tit Photo by Mark Walters

Dainty Long tailed Tit
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chaffinch Photo by Mark Walters

Chaffinch
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bullfinch Photo by Mark Walters

Bullfinch
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-headed Gull Photo by Mark Walters

Black-headed Gull
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woodpigeon Nest Building Photo by Mark Walters

Woodpigeon Nest Building
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treecreeper Photo by Mark Walters

Treecreeper
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowdrop

Snowdrop
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Sparrow Photo by Mark Walters

Tree Sparrow
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round robin

Round Robin
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reed Mace Photo by Mark Walters

Reed Mace
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Tailed Tit gathering spider silk Photo by Mark Walters

Long Tailed Tit gathering spider silk
Photo by Mark Walters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out and about on 30th March 2013

Daffodils & Sunshine Outcrop Public Footpath Photo by Su Haselton

Daffodils & Sunshine Outcrop Public Footpath
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow & Daffodils Outcrop Public Footpath Photo by Su Haselton

Snow & Daffodils Outcrop Public Footpath
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ash in Bud Photo by Su Haselton

Ash in Bud
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabin Wood March Sunshine photo by Su Haselton

Cabin Wood March Sunshine
photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approach to Seldom Pond Cabin Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Approach to Seldom Pond Cabin Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluebell Wood Photo by Su Haselton

Bluebell Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Wood in March Sunshine Photo by Su Haselton

North Wood in March Sunshine
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a sunny day in January 2013

Seldom Pond Flood 5 January 2013 Photo by Su Haselton

Seldom Pond Flood 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

 

 

January Sunshine - Bluebell WoodPhoto by Su Haselton

January Sunshine – Bluebell Wood
Photo by Su Haselton

 

Still Hanging On 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

Still Hanging On 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

 

New Life - Hazel 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

New Life – Hazel 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

Old and New - Teasel 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

Old and New – Teasel 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

New Life 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

New Life 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

Early Snowdrops 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

Early Snowdrops 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

Sunshine Pine 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

Sunshine Pine 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

New Growth 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

New Growth 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

Seed Heads 5 January 2013Photo by Su Haselton

Seed Heads 5 January 2013
Photo by Su Haselton

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