Birds

14/03/26 Seen and heard in Area 5 during the river event with SERT, were a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker a Grey Heron feeding in the pond, a calling Nuthatch , Green Woodpecker and a singing Blackbird.

12/03/26 On the pontoon at the Dinton Activity Centre in Area 10, was a Oystercatcher braving the wind.

10/03/26 In my Area 4 garden this morning a singing male Blakcap was heard and the finally seen in my neighbours Ivy.

07/03/26 Seen and heard in Area's 4 and 5 during the litter pick were a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker a flyover Grey Heron a calling Nuthatch and Song Thrush. In Area 7A at the Skinner Drive balancing pond, Paul O'Neill saw 3 Snipe a male Stonechat , 26 Linnet and a male Reed Bunting .

05/03/26 A spectacular site in Area 10 where a Sparrowhawk was seen chasing a Ring necked Parakeet and allmost catching it. A male Chiffchaff was in full song along with a Song Thrush.

03/03/26 In Area 7A at Skinner Drive balancing pond seen by Paul O'Neill were 5 Reed Bunting , 2 male and 3 female and a male Stonechat. Also seen was a male Chiffchaff Pheasant, 24 Linnet and 4 Snipe .

Insects

14/03/26 Seen flying through Area 5 were a Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni and Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Butterflies.

08/03/26 The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 07/03/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 11 moth's of 4 species. Highlight was a Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata . With 1new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 23 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

05/03/26 The sun was shining, so a trip to Area 10 was a must. Seen was a 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata, it hibernates during the winter months, resting in vegetation, hollow plant stems and garden sheds and it emerges in spring, usually from March to April, in search of food. Also seen in the Car Park field was the Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Butterfly. A further 4 were seen flying in the field next to Bittern Hide. One was also seen in Area 5 near Woosehill Roundabout.

02/03/26 The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 01/03/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 16 moth's of 5 species. Highlights were Early Grey Xylocampa areola and the Micro Moth Ypsolopha ustella . With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 22 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

Plants/ Trees

Every year the leaves on the trees and hedgerows change colour from green to a yellow/gold before falling , find out why at Why do leaves change colour .

12/03/26 My first Primrose Primula vulgaris of the year was seen in Area 10 at Dinton Pastures.A hardy little plant, the primrose can flower from as early as December in mild years, appearing all the way through the spring until May.

03/03/26 Seen in Area 7A near Skinner Drive balancing pond was Common Field Speedwell Veronica persica.

02/03/26 As the weather warms up, things are coming into bloom . Seen were Common Gorse Ulex europaeus with bright, beaming yellow flowers with the scent of coconut, common gorse is a sight to behold. also seen was Blackthorn Prunus spinosa . Early to blossom, blackthorn trees have clouds of snow-white flowers in early spring.

Fungi/ Lichen

Do not eat any fungi that have not been properly identified , some are DEADLY when ingested .

Reptiles

Fish

14/03/26 Seen in Area 5 during river dipping was a Bullhead Cottus gobio .

Mammals/Amphibians

14/03/26 Seen in Carol Woodmans Area 7 garden today was a Common Frog Rana temporaria .Found throughout the UK, they can be identified by their smooth skin and long legs; perfect for hopping. Varying hugely in colour, they will usually have dark spots and stripes and a ‘mask’ behind the eye.