foteb.org.uk

Latest Sightings April 2010

Click on the link to send in your sightings info@foteb.org.uk

For previous months sightings see Archive

The"Area Seen" refers to the 10 sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see Wildlife page).

Click on any picture to see a larger image.

Birds .

26/04/10

1 Common Tern seen flying over Area 4 this morning.

25/04/10

In Area 8 a male Whitethroat was singing from a hedgerow near Old Forest Rd and a Chiffchaff was calling from an Ash tree . Apair of Bullfinches were als seen. In Area 5. A Stock Dove, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were seen in Area 4& 5.

20/04/10

A Willow Warbler was heard singing in bushes by the balancing pond in Area 4 and 2 Chiffchaff's and a Blackcap were singing in Area 8.

19/04/10

1 Swallow and 2 Sand Martins over Area 4 of the Emm brook. Sighting by Paul Bright-Thomas

15/04/10

In Area 5 at least 2 singing male Blackcaps and a Chifchaff this morning. Also several calling Nuthatches & a pair of Jays.

12/04/10

Heard in Area 10 at 20:00 a Sedge Warbler in the reeds adjacent to the Emm at Lavells Lake

08/04/10

Seen in Area 5 between 16:00 & 17:00 today Chiffchaff,Jay,Magpie, Robin,Blue Tit,Great Tit,Carrion Crow,Chaffinch,Nuthatch,Tree Creeper,5 Mallards, Greenfinch,Robin,Green Woodpecker,Song Thrush,Wood Pigeon & Collared Dove

05/04/10

In area 8 today a Kingfisher was seen flying up the Emm

02/04/10

In Area 5 today a Sparrowhawk was seen flying over the woods near Woosehill roundabout.

Insects

20/04/10

An afternoon walk in Area 8 (OldForest Rd) proved very good for Butterflies with at least 5 Peacock , 5 Small Tortishell, 3Orange Tip ,1 Small White and 1 Speckled Wood.

15/04/10

A beautiful Comma butterfly the first of the year and an unidentified white butterfly were seen in Area 5

12/04/10

First Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris was seen in Area 5

08/04/10

Seen in Area 5 between 16:00 & 17:00 today in the glorious sunshine 3 Peacock and 1 Brimstone Butterfly. The first 6 Spot Ladybird of the year and a Bee Fly

05/04/10

At least 4 Buff tailed Bumblebees were seen feeding on nectar from a Pussy Willow adjacent to Toutley Bridge on Old Forest Rd in Area 7.

02/04/10

Despite the overnight rain the moth trap was put out.. Only 11 moths of 6 species were trapped. New moths for the year were Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea) and the micro moth Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) .

This brings the years total to 18 species.

Other Wildlife

Mammals

05/04/10

A male Roe Deer was seen adjacent to the Emm in Area 8 near the motorway this afternoon.

Plants & Trees

25/04/10

.Cowslips were seen growing in the willdflower meadow in Area 4

15/04/10

Despite the best efforts of the Councils grasscutters a small patch of Ladies Smockhave survived in the wildflower meadow area.in Area 4 This area is only supposed to be mowed twice a year.

It was a nice suprise to find 2 Wood Anemonein Area 5.

05/04/10

Blackthorn (also known as sloe) can be seen coming into flower adjacent to Toutley Bridge on Old Forest Rd in Area 7. Their bushes are covered in clouds of white blossom borne on its dark, thorn laden branches. This shrub is sometimes confused with Hawthorn, but the Hawthorn does not flower until May and comes into leaf before the blossom opens.

As a taste of things to come (but not yet in flower) the following plants can be seen emerging through the ground on most of the Emm. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) ,Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata),Goosegrass (Galium aparine) , Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius).