Join us any time from 2 pm to 5 pm. Meet us by the toolshed just before 2 pm, or come and find us on site later on. Tasks for all abilities. Tools and gloves are provided; please wear old clothes and boots, and bring your own work gloves if you prefer. Rain will not […]
Autumnal Sunshine
After three gloomy weeks of torrential rain, last month’s golden autumnal sunshine seems like a distant dream. But here, as a reminder of those bygone days, are Nicola’s photos of a Jay, a Grey Wagtail, and a Chiffchaff. (The level of the Mill Stream has risen by at least one metre since the Grey Wagtail […]
Ethel
Clare Weiner writes: Like many parents at this time of year, Ethel, the Trap Grounds swan, is preparing her offspring for independent adult life. She leaves the two cygnets alone on the water for increasing lengths of time, and will soon be teaching them to fly. Their wing feathers are well developed and (see photo) […]
Kingfisher
I was lucky enough to stumble across one of the Kingfishers sitting on the perch on Tim’s Pond recently. The light wasn’t great and he didn’t linger enough but I managed to get off a photo or two. Adam
Brown Hairstreak butterfly and Emerald damselfly
Belatedly catching up with some of Nicola Devine’s most notable photos from earlier this summer … Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) is a conservation priority species, in severe decline all over the country, but Nicola has photographed it on the Trap Grounds in every year since 2015. Its larvae need Blackthorn to feed on; we planted […]
Rhinoceros beetles
These beetles were found in May on a rotten tree stump on the Trap Grounds during our Springwatch Family Day by a pupil at St Philip & St James primary school, but until today we did not know his name. Today I had the pleasure of meeting Karim Chibane and congratulating him on his significant […]
Work Parties in September 2019
Wednesday 18 September, 10 am-4pm; and Thursday 19th, 11 am-3.30 pm. Raking hay, stacking logs, fighting brambles, etc. Tools are provided; wear old clothes and tough boots. Come when you like, for as long as you like. Meet us by the toolshed at the start, or come and find us later.
A fox in the sun
Clare Weiner writes: “Today (September 13th) about 5.45pm, I spotted a Fox in the meadow by the school fence. It ran off, but we saw it again later, boldly out in the midst of the mown meadow, in the sunshine. A family with a dog (on a lead) were nearby. I told them there was […]
Banded Demoiselle
Clare Weiner writes: “On 22 August, Nicola Devine and I saw this Banded Demoiselle (female) perch on a small dead branch of a willow growing by the Mill Stream. These Damselflies (we know it is a Damselfly as its closed wings are lying along its back) like slow-flowing streams, so the location was perfect for […]
Spotted Flycatcher & Water Rail
Nicola photographed this rare visitor to the Trap Grounds today. In the UK, numbers of Spotted Flycatchers fell by 85 per cent between 1970 and 2015. So this was an honoured guest. It was Nicola’s lucky day. Besides the Spotted Flycatcher, she got a glimpse of our most elusive resident, the Water Rail. More often […]