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Latest Sightings October 2010

Click on the link to send in your sightings [email-masked]

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.

All sightings unless stated by Eddie Napper

Birds

28/10/10 In a 5 hr birdwatch today ending at
13:00 in Area's 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 & 8. I managed to log up 36 species.
Highlights of which were Kingfisher , Kestrel,
Goldcrest, Grey Heron, Siskin & Mistle Thrush. The full list
can be seen by clicking this link..28-10-10
List

23/10/10 A Kingfisher
was seen on the Emm between Meadow Rd and the footbridge to the
rear of Arthur Rd in Area 4 by Malcom Dunmore.

21/10/10

Following ths mornings frost the day soon warmed up and
the Raptors came out. Seen in Area 5 Red Kite,
Sparrowhawk & Buzzard floating on
the thermals this lunch-time.

18/10/10 In Area 4 Brambling, Linnet, & 20 Siskin flew over this morming. Sightings by Paul
Bright- Thomas.

16/10/10 Seen during a walk with my
grandaughter Holly today in Area 5 behind Morrisons , 17 species . The
highlights of which were Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail,
Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest & Cormorrant flying W.

In Area 4 seen by Paul Bright Thomas Coal Tit, Kestrel 1 juv/ first winter Low SE. Buzzard. 4 , 1 flying SE , 3 together N, Meadow Pipit. 1 adult S .,Lesser Redpoll, Skylark 4 flying S, Mute Swan1 adult low S, Cormarrant 12 flying SE

13/10/10 A possible
Hawfinch was seen at 13.05 as it flew thru N very quickly, lost
behind trees along Emm Brook in Area 10 near Lavells Lake. Sighting by
Fraser J Cottington.

12/10/10 A sure sign that winter is on its
way today with another 15 Redwings flying N
over Area 5 at 07:30. This winter visitor is the UK's smallest thrush,
but still manages to reach our shores all the way from Scandinavia. In
Area 6( by the Woosehill Roundabout) 13 Herring
Gulls were seen before drifting across Area 5 behind Morrisons at
12:30.

11/10/10 Paul Bright Thomas had a bird
packed morning in Area 4 this morning withChiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit(2), Pied Wagtail E, Skylark
(Heard), Redwing (26) E, Siskin (8) & Swallow (6) E

08/10/10 35 Wood
Pigeons were feeding in the open space adjacent to the Wild
Flower Meadow this morning. A Grey Wagtail
was feeding at the waters edge near Dragonfly Bridge in Area 5.

05/10/10 At 02:30 a Tawny Owl was calling in woods near Woosehill
Roundabout.

03/10/10 Highlight of todays birds in Area
5 today were 3 House Martins and a single
Swallow flying S and a Sparrowhawk seen in gardens and later stalking the
area with its distinctive "flap, flap, glide " flight.

02/10/10 Seen in Area 5 today Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch,Greenfinch, Chaffinch,
Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Magpie, Jay, Blackbird, Mistle
Thrush, Rook , Starling Nuthatch , Pied Wagtail &Herring Gull
A solitary House Martin was seen drifting S.

Insects

28/10/10 With the mlld weather continuing
the Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris can
still be seen getting nectar from the white flowers of Ivy all along the
Emm.

09/10/10

The Moth trap was run overnight and produced 17 moths of
11 species. These were Carcina quercana,Light Brown
Apple Moth , Large Yellow Underwing (2), Common Marbled Carpet(3), Pale
Mottled Willow(3), Turnip Moth (2), Dagger sp, Lunar Underwing. Green
Brindled Crescent, Large Ranunculus & Black Rustic.

03/10/10 Hornets
are still very active in area 5 and can be seen around the
Dragonfly Bridge area.

Other Wildlife

Spiders

17/10/10

With the first frost of the autumn, spiders webs are
easily visible.

Mammals

28/10/10 In Area 2 a Roe
Deer was seen at 11:30.

21/10/10 At 02:15 this morning aRed Fox was calling as it ran through Area 5.

08/10/10 Squirells
are busy collecting Acorns at the moment and Moles are busy digging up the open spaces.

Plants/Trees

21/10/10

As per the NEWS page, the Environment Agencys contractors
have been pollarding Willows adjacent to the
Emm, behind Arthur Road.

17/10/10

Near the Balancing Pond by Smiths Walk the fruit of the
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) can
be seen. The nut is encased in a prickly, leathery casing which opens in
autumn, allowing the nuts to fall. They don't stay on the ground for
long, as the squirrels collect them for their winter food store.

Why do the leaves change colour ?

Autumn
Leaves click on the link to find out why.

08/10/10

Sloes the fruit of the Blackthorn
can be seen all along the brook at the moment. The Oak that fell adjacent to the brook in Area 5 last
month has been tidied up and the trunk will hopefully be left to make a
seat from.