Coppicing and Birds

As we’re at risk of sounding repetitive there won’t be much said about today’s main task of continuing the coppice block, but a big thank you to all who helped with this and other jobs around the reserve.

We got lots more done and Jonathan also tried out the new forestry helmet he got for Christmas!

Unfortunately all the noise in the coppice block just behind the garden meant that the feeders out there were a bit quiet today, much to the disappointment of some bird-watching visitors. Until, that is I suggested looking to the feeders outside the kitchen… To avoid the noise and activity the birds were simply using the feeders on the other side of the building!

The aforementioned visitors said they saw all they had hoped to see in just the few minutes I was with them, and one of our volunteers said she saw 10 species out there at once! I can believe it! Today, just by those feeders, off the top of my head I remember seeing: blackbird, robin, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, marsh tit, brambling, chaffinch, redpoll, siskin, long-tailed tit, reed bunting, nuthatch and goldfinch!

If you like birds why not come and see how many species you can spot on our feeders or book a place on our Bird Song Breakfast –a chance to enjoy our beautiful reserve and its unique setting at a time when few folk see it. There will be a guided walk around the reserve led by Tony Crease and others, to see which birds can be heard singing as they wake to greet the dawn, followed by a drive through the Military Training Area to look for black grouse. The climax will be finishing with a fat boy’s breakfast at Wathgill. It’s not happening until May, but there’s no harm in getting your bookings in early!