A modest herald of Spring, photographed by Clare Weiner peering out under a young oak tree in Snowdrop Glade
Signs of Spring
On 10 March Clare Weiner photographed Prince and Eddy, last year’s resident swans, refurbishing their old nest on the bank of the big pond. (On the same day, Nicola Devine witnessed them mating.) Coltsfoot flowers are emerging in Polly’s Glade. Spring is (tentatively) on its way.
Coots making a come-back?
For some reason Coots have been absent from the Trap Grounds ponds for several years. (The last known breeding pair was recorded in 2009.) So Nicola Devine was happy to spot this one apparently gathering nest materials on 8 March.
Goldfinches feeding on Teasel Seeds
On 5th March we watched 2 Goldfinches feeding on the seeds of the teasels. We were quite far away but I managed to catch a photo of this small, athletic bird, upside down on a teasel head. (Clare Weiner)
Mallards sound the alarm: Heron in a Tree!
Clare Weiner writes: This morning around 9.30am we noticed a Heron rising from the reed beds, and then, as we walked down the boardwalk, a group of Mallards who were becoming disturbed. Two kept up a continuous quacking, audible around the TG. From beside the Dragonfly Pond we saw the heron, clearly the object of […]
Swan Prince struts his stuff
Prince, one of our resident swans, dries his wings in sparkling February sunshine. Caught on camera by Corinne Richards.
A few recent sightings
Clare Weiner writes: The Butterbur buds (evident since early January) have been providing food for wildlife, judging by the number of half-eaten buds we’ve spotted. I observed the EarthStar fungi early in the year and later the Scarlet Elf Cups at the side of Frog Lane, and Coltsfoot buds in Polly’s Glade.
Winter Heliotrope beginning to flower
Spotted several Winter Heliotrope coming into flower in the wooded area and banks of the stream near the bird-hide today. THe flowers were white rather than pink.
Wagtail
I’m wondering if anyone has seen a Pied Wagtail in the Trap Grounds? I have seen them both by the Hayfield Road deli and yesterday on Waterside, but not yet in the TG, and wondered why they prefer the more urban area of roads and developments rather than the more watery and natural area nearby?
Three Jays quarrelling near the Dragonfly Pond
Clare Weiner writes: On 22 November, we were pleased to see the Trap Grounds Jays, flying and flapping around the trees and squabbling behind the Dragonfly Pond and near the stream in the Periwinkle wood. There were three of them, possibly this year’s youngsters? In the photos, although the birds were very high in the […]