Mike's Wildlife Diary

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2010-03-18T02:53:00.001-07:00

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Wonderful Willsbridge

2010-03-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

I visited the park on Monday 8th March armed with camera and long lens. My intention was to look for a sparrowhawk seen on the previous Thursday, and also try to spot and photograph goldcrest. The latter is Britain's smallest native bird, smaller even than the diminutive wren. It is very active, seeking out insects and grubs in nooks and crannies in the woodland trees. It has a preference for conifers but will visit deciduous trees as well.

At the Mill I disturbed a grey wagtail which headed down to the brook. Seeking to stalk it for a photo, I failed dismally, and already alerted, it took off upstream. But while on the stream platform I saw a tree creeper. Although I got a few shots, none were particularly exceptional. While watching that bird, I was distracted by two goldcrests directly in the tree above me. I frantically ran off a dozen or more shots trying to catch one or the other. The tree creeper was joined by two others, and although I would have dearly loved better shots of these, the goldcrests were the bigger draw.

I caught the sparrowhawk later along the footpath, and also nailed a couple of 'lotties' for good measure.

A cracking day out, Gromit!

The somewhat elusive tree creeper, there are several in the park currently. It grips the treetrunk with its long claws, using its curved beak to probe for grubs in the bark.

The diminutive goldcrest, Britain's smallest bird. Named after the yellow flash on its head. Can be difficult to spot as it hunts for grubs and insects in nooks and crannies in the trees.

As agile as a bluetit, the goldcrest is very active so I was as pleased as punch to capture this delightful little bird.

This sparrowhawk had surprisingly cryptic plumage. It was only when I saw it move briefly that I spotted it. Even then it was only easily visible through the telephoto lens of my camera.

Longtailed tits, often called 'lotties' by birders, must be one of Britain's favourite birds after maybe the robin and bluetit. Sometimes likened to a ball on a stick, they roam the woods in groups of up to a dozen or more. Numbers have been hit by the hard winter but they are still easy to spot around the park. They make delightful photographic subjects, if you can catch them!

Another 'lottie'.

Buzzards

2010-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

A pair of buzzards have been flying around the valley recently, giving me speculation that they may be considering nesting at Willsbridge. I'm not sure what the effect such an event may have on songbirds nesting in the park but they are nevertheless stunning birds to watch. Listen for their plaintive high call as they maintain contact with each other.

The shots below were taken on Monday March 1st.

Mike.

A hint of Spring

2010-02-24T13:36:00.001-08:00

There was a hint of Spring today in Willsbridge Valley this morning (24th February). Crocuses were on display in the wildlife garden and on the slope near the barn, and were visited by honey bees.

Until the rain clouds rolled in that is...

Where have the frogs got to?

February

2010-02-07T04:52:00.000-08:00

February has a hint of spring with hazel catkins appearing almost overnight and snowdrops rising from the woodland leaf litter. Food for birds is still scarce however and robins are at their boldest at this time of year when offered seeds or mealworms.

Robins are Britain's favourite wild bird. They are an easy photographic subject with even modest cameras. The spot at the north-eastern end of the reserve at Willsbridge is a favourite territory for at least one robin. Just drop some food on a couple of the old fence posts there and wait for a few minutes about six feet away. Then snap away as the current resident tucks in. Catch him away from the food for a more natural looking shot.

Hazel catkins are appearing now. The "lamb's tails" are the male flower that disperses pollen on the wind. The female flowers are red and much smaller.

Snowdrops are the first ground based flowers to appear in the woodland. These were snapped in Catscliff Wood near the cottage bird feeders.

Robins always make delightful photographs and are an easy photographic subject because they are surprisingly bold at this time of the year. Tempt them close with seed or mealworms.

Willsbridge Wassailing 2010

2010-01-25T03:30:00.001-08:00

The Willsbridge Wassailing event, which celebrates the turning of the season and waking up the orchard in preparation for Spring, is always well attended. Wassailing 2010, held on Sunday 24th January, was no exception. A cracking event.
Photos can be viewed here: http://willsbridge.fotopic.net
Mike.

January

2010-01-09T11:17:00.001-08:00

The big freeze continues into 2010 and at the time of writing (9th January) looks set to continue. This means particular hardship for the birds at Willsbridge, but I have noticed that walkers are once again dropping food on the wooden posts at the north-eastern end of the reserve. I'm sure it's a welcome addition to the birds' regular forage to top up their carbohydrate intake and keep them fit and well. Bluetits and great tits love peanuts, swooping down to grab one then flying to a safe place to peck away at it with relish. Robins are well known for loving mealworms but will take grass and other seeds at a pinch as well.

One effect of the cold weather is to send large numbers of winter thrushes to the west country, so look out for fieldfares and redwings feeding on berries in the Longwell Green area. There was a mixed flock of around 20 birds feeding on berries in tall shrubs alongside Woodward Drive on 7th January, and there were also two or three redwings in Catscliffe Wood at Willsbridge, joining a resident songthrush and blackbird, foraging amongst dead leaves and ivy.

A redwing. A winter thrush that visits southern counties in large numbers during hard winters. Note the pale eye-stripe and the reddish underwing. Once they have found a source of berries they will remain, voraciously consuming them until they are gone then moving on. So if you see them, make the most of it!

Fieldfares often accompany redwings in winter visits to this country. It is a very handsome bird, a little larger than the redwing. Note the slate grey head. Another nomadic feeder that can be rather shy, so I was chuffed to bits to capture this one.

Wrens suffer real hardship during cold winters. Sadly, many won't make it. The species relies on large broods to recover those lost in such winters as the current one. The delightful individual right was snapped in Willsbridge today (9th Jan).

December

2009-12-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

Seemingly endless grey skies, cold weather and other commitments have limited my visits to the Willsbridge reserve so far this December. I have noticed one or two redwings in the vicinity so these winter visiting members of the thrush family should be looked out for near St Anne's Church and around the Long Beach Road car park. Last winter saw an influx of hawfinches to St Anne's churchyard which are locally quite rare, so I've been watching out to see if they return.

Since this is the run up to Christmas, may I wish all AWT members, staff and volunteers a very merry Christmas and best wishes for 2010. Above is a seasonal winter robin that I took in the snow last February to get you in the mood.

Mike.

December 2009 tree dressing event

2009-12-06T15:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of showers failed to dampen enthusiasm for the 2009 annual tree dressing event at Willsbridge on 6th December.

The above photo and others taken at the event may be viewed by all at http://mike.photos.gb.net/

Mike.

November

2009-11-25T06:39:00.000-08:00

A rainy and breezy month has whipped many of the leaves from the trees with a golden carpet around the hornbeam trees along the dramway path. During one walk I saw several squirrels browsing the leaf litter for hidden food, quite happy for me to stand very still about ten or fifteen feet away, but scurrying for safety up the nearest tree whenever a gust of wind rustled the branches. A buzzard was also heard calling, and subsequently seen flying over the treetops. It was eventually seen off by a couple of angry crows.Several interesting fungi were found around the big field maple growing from the decaying logs stacked there. Seen were ink cap, butter cap, sulphur tuft, turkey tail and candle snuff. Thanks to Alison and Joe for help with identification of these.

Mike.

Ink caps. The caps drip black residue as they age.

Candle snuffs. So called because they look like a black candle wick that has been snuffed out leaving white ash at the top.

Turkey tails. These bracket fungi resemble the pattern displayed on the tails of turkeys.

Butter caps. The yellow centres are said to resemble the colour and texture of butter. They don't remotely resemble the taste though.

Apple event October 2009

2009-10-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Just a short note for those who wish to view photos taken at the Apple Day event at Willsbridge on 25th October 2009. They may be viewed by anyone at http://mike.photos.gb.net
Just click on the link above to jump straight to the photo album index then click on the event heading. Click on the first or any picture in the index to view it.
Cheers,
Mike.

October

2009-10-14T03:05:00.001-07:00

The fine weather has continued into October, which has enabled dragonflies to continue to survive, although night frosts will no doubt signal their eventual demise. In the meantime there are southern hawker males patrolling the ponds, and females visiting to lay eggs (oviposit). Common darters can still be seen around the reserve, gleaning heat from south facing paths that are in full sun.
The odd speckled wood butterfly can be seen, and do keep an eye out for painted lady. These are continuously brooded and some of the offspring from the huge influx last May still survive. Sadly, they won't survive even a mild winter.
Red admirals are a little bit tougher and can make it through light frosts, and there have been reports of a late influx from Europe so these are worth watching out for. They seem to favour the slope past the paddock where there are ivy flowers growing.

Incidently, I got a message from a regular who has asked if there were kingfishers along the brook. I have seen one once or twice in previous years although none this year. I don't think they nest in the reserve and they're easily disturbed so I think you have to be lucky to catch a glimpse of them, but they do visit from time to time so watch out for them. Dippers are more regularly seen and in the spring have reared young.

A common darter tandem pair ovipositing in the garden pond.
He will stay attached as she deposits eggs into the water, preventing other males from mating with her until she has given his offspring a chance.

A painted lady. Although this one was snapped at Blagdon Lake, the Willsbridge reserve benefits from being in a sheltered valley and can support butterflies well into autumn. This individual was snapped on October 10th.

September

2009-09-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

September is a month during which nature begins its gradual shutdown in preparation for winter with most of the summer's butterflies gone. But Dragonflies are still around. Common darters have proliferated around the ponds and elsewhere during the month with sunshine holding up throughout the month. Common darters are long lived dragonflies, quite hardy, and can be seen well into October. You will often see them flat on south facing footpaths soaking up the ground warmth.

Late emerging comma butterflies can sometimes be seen sipping from overripe blackberries or from fermenting fallen apples, but I haven't seen any for the last week or so of the month so it looks like they're already slipping into hibernation.Female and male southern hawkers have been seen around the garden and mill ponds.

A common darter male patrolling his 'patch' over the garden pond.
He will retreat to stone paths to warm up on cooler days then make regular forays to the pond in search of visiting females.
He will battle with other males in impressive low level aerial displays to maintain his territory.

A female common darter. Females do not usually have this reddish colouration, but note the spur near the tail which males do not possess. I snapped her just as she was finishing off a meal of a small insect. She is now waiting by the pond for a mate before laying eggs (ovipositing) in the pond.

August

2009-09-02T03:17:00.000-07:00

Summer is past its peak and the nights will soon be drawing in but there is still activity in the Willsbridge reserve. Southern hawkers and common darters can be seen around the park when the sun shines. Females visit the ponds to mate and lay eggs (oviposit) where the males set up station and wait for them. Males are fiercely territorial at this time, driving off others of their species from their patch of water.Look out also for brown hawker as they are resident along the Avon and regularly travel up the brook to hunt. They are easily recognisable as the only British dragonfly with brown coloured wings, although "brown" is more a beautiful bronze when they reflect the sunlight in flight.Migrant hawker is another occasional visitor at this time of year. Superficially similar to southern but smaller with the characteristic white 'tack' mark at the top of the abdomen.

Late summer nymphalid butterflies are nectaring regularly to build up energy reserves to enable them to hibernate through the winter. Look for them on hemp agrimony and buddleia in the reserve. They happily coexist at this time, sharing nectar souces, as their time to contest territory and mate will be in the spring.
We should also be looking out for third generation painted lady. These are the grandchildren of the ones that crossed the country in huge numbers in May after travelling up through Europe from their native North Africa. They should be larger than the current generation and will be the ones that attempt to migrate south in autumn. Sadly, they are nowhere near as successful as the other great traveller on the other side of the Atlantic, the monarch, and it is thought that most of them will die before reaching their original starting point in North Africa. Make the most of the superb year for this magnificent butterfly. It may be many years before we see such numbers again.
Finally, a reminder that pictures from recent events at Willsbridge can still be found at http://mike.photos.gb.net/. I have placed no restriction on copying images from these events for your personal use so please feel free to do so.

A third generation painted lady. This is a grandchild of one of the huge number of immigrants in May. It is thought that this generation will attempt to make the journey back to North Africa, most of them failing in the attempt.

Common darter male. Look for them around the ponds in the reserve. Females are brownish.

A migrant hawker. These do not breed in the reserve but are regular late summer and autumn visitors. They can be identified by the white 'tack' shaped mark at the top of the abdomen.

August events

2009-08-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all.
I shall be covering the August school holiday events at Willsbridge with photos published on my photosite, starting with Aquamania on Wednesday 5th August. Photos should be processed and uploaded within 48 hours following the event finishing.
The website is http://mike.photos.gb.net
Previous events will remain as space permits, so feel free to browse them as well. Also featured are my nature photos.
Mike.

July

2009-07-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

As I write this, the rain is pouring down and I am reminded of the last two summers that hit our wildlife hard. However, so far at least, there have been spells of sunshine between the rain during this current unsettled period. Insects can survive downpours so long as there is sufficient sunshine to dry them out, and in the case of dragonflies, to allow them to hunt for prey.

A warm end to June gave the kick start needed to give July good numbers of ringlet in many areas. Willsbridge has had better years but the late June emergence continued into July. When I last checked on 15th July a few could still be seen in the grassy areas around the meadow.

Gatekeepers have emerged along the hedgerow by the horse paddock down the slope from the meadow.

Late summer commas have emerged earlier than usual in good numbers around the reserve - these are the darker variants that have matured slowly and will be joined later by the offspring of the lighter "hutchinsoni" commas that emerged last month. Both sets of emergences will overwinter as adults provided they can survive the next couple of months before hibernating.
Peacocks are also emerging and feeding on the buddliea bushes in front of the mill and behind the barn.

Despite worries about southern hawker numbers being down this year I saw three adults hawking for prey in the reserve. They are a highly mobile species so even if numbers in the mill pond are down currently, they should repopulate it readily from other areas.

Remember last May when The Times reported The Invasion of the Giant Painted Ladies? Blown out of all proportion by the paper, maybe, but there were thousands of migrant butterflies crossing the English Channel to our shores. Now, having reproduced on countless thistles, and sometimes nettle, the offspring are emerging. When freshly emerged, these butterflies are breathtakingly beautiful. Make the most of them as we might not get a repetition for many years.

A male southern hawker taking a rest from hunting for prey in the reserve. Once he has built up sufficient reserves he will adopt a stretch of water and guard it, waiting for females to visit to mate and lay eggs. Look out for them over the mill pond and the new refuge pond.

The privately owned horse paddock near the reserve's meadow area is looking very good for wildlife currently. A combination of light grazing and little other management is generating ideal habitat for small skippers such as this one.
Keep an eye out over the fence for them nectaring from knapweed as you pass.

This painted lady is probably an offspring from the mass influx from North Africa in May. Laying eggs on thistle and occasionally nettle they are maturing into adults now so we can expect to see many more before the end of summer. This one was snapped nectaring from teazle in front of the mill.

Look out for the summer's new emergence of peacock butterflies.
With just one brood per year, this is a long lived butterfly, conserving its strength in order to hibernate through the winter to mate and reproduce next Spring. The larvae feed on nettles in communal webs. This one was snapped on the buddliea behind the barn.

Here's hoping the current unsettled period ends soon.

Mike.

June

2009-07-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

June is a relatively quiet month where dragons damsels and butterflies are concerned with the spurt of Spring hitting a plateau and the high summer emergences occurring in July. However, the warm Spring coupled with a good start to Summer has accelerated damselfly nymph development and good numbers of azure and large reds have been seen, especially around the garden tubs. The garden pond has all but dried out so it's fortunate that the tubs have been able to take up the slack. On 25th June the first ringlet butterflies were appearing in the reserve along with several hutchinsoni commas. The latter are a paler variant of the regular comma whose development from egg to imago is much faster. These go on to produce normal looking adults in the Autumn, mixing with the slow tracked individuals that emerge in late Summer. Also on the 25th a scarlet tiger moth was seen several times around the garden.A single dragonfly exuvia was seen on 30th at the mill pond. It's been a good year for large skipper, with a few individuals spilling over into the reserve from the horse field adjacent to the meadow area.

With three broods a year, speckled wood can be seen in wooded glades throughout the summer. This is a female. She is much less aggressive than the male, who will defend his patch by chasing off other butterflies.

The ringlet is a summer butterfly, usually emerging around 1st July. It was a week early this year. Best seen in the reserve near the meadow.

Large skippers are a meadow species but occasionally visit the wildlife garden to feed on nectar from the flowers there.

Scarlet tigers are occasionally seen in the garden. I have also seen a caterpillar or two at Willsbridge so I wouldn't mind betting that they breed there. They are a day flying moth but can be quite elusive, hiding the bright red underwing when at rest.

Have a good July, all.

Mike.

May

2009-05-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

A glorious end to the month, and finally the damselflies are out in force around the garden ponds. Large red and azures are mating and ovipositing. There appear to be fewer in the mill pond though, mainly large reds. Holly blue is conspicuous by its absence, also no beautiful demoiselles yet seen in the brook. Interestingly, I have seen the latter in some numbers along the banks of the Avon at Keynsham, mixing with banded demoiselles. This is the first time I've seen them there as they generally prefer fast flowing streams rather than the lazy flow of the Avon. Could the wet summers of the last two years have driven many of the growing nymphs downstream, either through the deluges sweeping them there or through food pressures?

The big nature subject of the month has been the huge influx of painted lady butterflies, thought to be the biggest migration since 1996. Many passed through the park from Tuesday with up to four individuals at the same time pausing to nectar on the perennial wallflowers in the garden.

A male large red damselfly near the garden ponds on the lookout for females or prey.

Large red damselflies in mating loop. After mating, the male will continue to clasp the female while she deposits the fertilised eggs (ovipositing) in the ponds. This ensures that his genes are passed on to the next generation.

Painted lady butterfly, part of the recent mass influx from abroad, nectaring on perennial wallflower in the garden. This flower bed is a recent initiative that is already showing promise.

Have a good June, all.

Mike.

Damsels in May

2009-05-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a lean month so far for odonata at Willsbridge. Reports of various dragons and damsels have been coming in around the country but our collection of bathtubs and ponds have all been waiting for first emergence of these insects.

Finally on Saturday 16th May I saw two male large reds at the garden pond. I don't know whether they had emerged there or were visitors from elsewhere, but they had acquired their full adult colouration making them at least several days old. They have perhaps a week or two in which to find a female and mate. Here's one of them.

Mike.

April

2009-05-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

April 3rdA cool start to the day with a couple of chiffchaffs singing in the park, and a blackcap singing just outside along the path to St Anne's church. The sun broke through this afternoon and out came the butterflies with two brimstones, four peacocks and a comma for starters. Then two pristine looking orange tip males tussled together before disappearing up the hill towards Long Beach Road, the first OTs I've seen this year. A further OT seen near Court Road. A song thrush was singing his heart out near the quarry.
April 4thVisiting the reserve in the afternoon I saw several commas and a couple of peacocks basking near the bottom of Long Beach Road entrance with a single orange tip male passing through. Also green veined white, small white and an undersize large white.
April 7thPrior to attending the regular volunteers' meeting in the barn I spotted a male OT settled on a garlic mustard flower in front of the mill. A cloud had passed in front of the sun so I was able to take a few snaps before it warmed up and flew away.
April 14thBluebells are looking nice along Catscliff Wood. Stitchwort beginning to appear amongst them. Dog violets can be seen towards the far end of the reserve along the upper footpath.
April 16thBluebells along Catscliff are joined by stitchwort and common storksbill.Several orange tip males, a peacock, a comma, a single brimstone male and a single green veined white female seen in the garden. A male speckled wood seen at the reserve's eastern entrance, my first in the park this year. Still waiting for holly blue.
April 23rdRed campion is showing amongst the bluebells, and a single holly blue seen in the wildlife garden. It was far too active to get photos but it's nice to see it at last. A pair of blackcaps look to be nesting in the foliage over the far bank of the brook opposite the big field maple.

Male blackcap. Can be heard currently in two or three locations within the park.

Green veined white female. Often be confused with small white, GVW does not attack cabbages. The larval foodplant is garlic mustard.

Orange tip. With the cryptic colouration of its lower underwing acting as superb camoulflage, it frequently roosts on garlic mustard or hedge parsley. Garlic mustard and cuckoo flower are its main larval foodplants.

This male brimstone rested for a moment at the garden pond, presenting a nice picture while nectaring.

A speckled wood male catching the sun and waiting for females to pass by. Lovers of woodland glades,they will chase away other insects from their patch.

Here's to a good May,

Mike.

March

2009-04-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

March 1st A Spring-like start to the month with bees in the garden gathering honey and nectar from the crocuses.

March 11th A dull day in the reserve today, brightened with the first signs of green leaves appearing in hawthorn bushes towards the Long Beach Road incline, blackthorn blossom just beginning to flower by the quarry, and the first few celandines on the east path out of the reserve. A longtailed tit had its tiny beak full of feathers to line a nest near the reserve's east exit. There is plenty of bramble around that area which is a favourite protective habitat for them to build their nests although I didn't spot one.

March 13th A buzzard was seen circling over the mill.A single pond skater was seen on the main garden pond, common newts seen in garden pond and tubs.

March 17th A beautiful spring day saw lots of butterflies with several comma and male brimstone seen in the reserve and three small tortoiseshells up the valley from the reserve near Court Road. STs populations have crashed in recent years so hopefully this is a sign of resurgence of this species. The patch of ground, north of lower Court Road, which I believe is council owned, is a mix of regularly mowed grass, scrub that is largely left intact, and grass that is occasionally cut back. This is an excellent and diverse micro-habitat, supporting more than 20 butterfly and day-flying moth species, and it's good to see that councils can sometimes get things right.

March 25th A stiff breeze today but with some sunshine. A buzzard taking advantage of an updraft from the slope between St Anne's church and the reserve was mobbed by two gulls. Several wrens seen and heard. A possible chiff chaff was heard in Catscliff. Celandines are well under way and the first tentative signs of bluebells in bud.

March 27th More breezy weather with sunshine and showers, but a good day for wildlife in and around the reserve today with a buzzard seen circling low over the barn twice. A pair of jays were active in Catscliff Wood, and at least four chiffchaffs seen just outside of the reserve along the path to St Anne's Church. None were singing but just checking out their surroundings so maybe newly returned migrants. Wrens have been tantalisingly close but I keeping missing my chance of photos of this bird as they are so active and always ready to bolt for low cover and disappear.

March 28th A small tortoiseshell was investigating a patch of new nettle growth just outside of the reserve near the path to St Anne's Church. It looks an ideal spot to lay eggs so I'll keep an eye out for larvae.

March 29th 2 commas, 3 peacocks and no less than 7 small torts near Court Road, one of which was ovipositing in new nettle growth.

March 30th Too much cloud for much butterfly activity, but a chiffchaff was singing in the park near the path to Cherry Garden Lane, the first I've heard this year.

March 31st Another cloudy day but at least three chiffchaffs heard along with green woodpecker, and a male blackcap spotted in the park.

Spring crocuses getting bees off to a good start.

A long tailed tit collecting nest material. I still haven't found the nest!

A welcome upsurge of the recently declining small tortoiseshell, reinforced by a late influx last autumn from continental Europe.

Some warm sunny days this month saw the usual hibernating adults emerging like this male brimstone nectaring here on celandine.

See you next month,

Mike.

9th March - herons

2009-03-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

March 9th
Another of those magic moments today, this time by the riverside near Hencliffe Wood, Hanham.
Grey herons have begun to congregate at their usual nesting spot just past the east entrance to St Anne's railway tunnel on the south bank of the Avon. On the day I visited there were around a dozen birds but I would expect numbers to rise as more arrive. Last year there were around 18-20 pairs.
On the Hanham side rooks are also begin to gather to nest in the stand of tall trees almost opposite the herons. In addition, several buzzards were seen slightly west towards Bristol, with evidence of a nesting pair that were frequently calling. Around 200 jackdaws were roosting in the same area as the herons, frequently taking off together with their argumentative 'jack-jack' calls. A great spotted woodpecker was hammering out his mating summons, and a green woodpecker's laughing call was heard. Add to that the resonant 'teacher-teacher' call of a nearby great tit and the bright cheerful song of a robin, and the end result was a wonderful cacophony of noise! A cormorant was seen with wings spread nearby. A cracking day out!

Coming in to land in the treetops. With that huge six foot wingspan it looks a precarious business!

Taking time away from the nest to preen and just chill out for a while.

Around 200 jackdaws were roosting in amongst the herons, frequently taking off with lots of argumentative 'jack-jack' calls.

Look out for buzzards circling overhead with their high contact calls.

The herons will be nesting and rearing young until May so there's plenty of time to catch sight of these huge birds, frequently taking off to rest away from the nests or to feed. The best views are from the Hencliffe Wood bank where you can look across the river to see them. If you're driving, from Hanham head east along the A431 to the Whittucks Road traffic lights and turn right into Whittucks Road. At the bottom of Whittucks Road, turn left onto Abbots Road then second right into Castle Farm Road. At the bottom of Castle Farm Road is a car park. Leave the car there then walk through the two gates at the far end of the car park. Follow the lane down to riverside, branching right along the lane through the woodland. As you pass a stand of very tall trees to your left planted in rows you will hear the rooks overhead and there is a path leading down to the riverside past a stone ruin. You should now be almost opposite the eastern entrance to St Anne's Tunnel. The herons' nests are slightly west of the tunnel entrance across the river from where you are standing.

Mike.

February

2009-03-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

Feb 1st.

Bitterly cold today with a raw easterly wind. Scouting around the Long Beach Road car park, a bird let out a sharp "peep" of alarm as I passed and it flew into the undergrowth. I was surprised to see it was a hawfinch. It may have been one of the flock seen over the last few days at St Anne's church (see January blog entry). At the church there were fewer birds seen today so perhaps they are either moving on or dispersing. I still managed to get reasonable snaps of this individual (right). This redwing was snapped in the area behind the Long Beach Road car park (below right).

3rd. Following overnight snowfalls I got down to the reserve early today to get photos of snow on the trees before it was lost.

I also got the obligatory 'robin in the snow' picture. This is quite easy to do: find a robin guarding his patch, put some snow on a post nearby, drop some seeds in the snow, move away a little and wait. This one was at the north-east of the reserve.

14th. I walked through St Anne's churchyard today on my travels, pausing for a few minutes to see if any of the recent hawfinches
were present. No hawfinches seen unfortunately, but a couple of great tits were in fine vocal form, and as I left I was surprised to hear the 'cronk cronk' of a raven calling from a large redwood tree in the old vicarage garden. It took off heading towards Willsbridge.

21st. A single male frog seen in the garden pond mounting a lonely vigil in wait for females to turn up. In a neighbour's garden catching the sun was a comma butterfly, the first butterfly I've seen this year.

23rd. The male frog has been joined by others of both sexes and mating pairs seen in all ponds.

Totals of both sexes mill pond: 20+garden pond: 7garden tubs: 6

The crocusses are looking splendid in the garden with honey bees visiting them already. This one was snapped on the 23rd.

Roll on Spring!

January

2009-02-01T02:36:00.000-08:00

The new year heralded a continuation of the raw weather that marked the end of 2008. Fortunately, Willsbridge is in a sheltered valley so even the meager winter solstice sunshine is surprisingly warming, and the bare branches let in plenty of light to the wooded paths enabling photo opportunities such as this bluetit snapped on the 2nd January.

Also, watch out for immigrant species such as redwing which are often accompanied by fieldfare. Redwings look like thrushes but look for the reddish underwing and the prominent white eye stripe. Fieldfares are larger with a slate grey head.A flock of redwings were in local gardens near the reserve on the 7th, and 9th. This one was snapped on the 9th.

In the mill park on the 9th was this tiny bank vole that had made its home in a hole in the wall at the north eastern end of the park. Taking advantage of dropped food left for birds by walkers it kept popping out to grab a seed or other titbit, seemingly oblivious of people passing by.

It's also worth the occasional walk around the open space behind the Long Beach Road car park where finches and other passerines may be seen. Goldfinches, chaffinches are often there with the occasional bullfinch. Although declining in many parts of the UK, house sparrows are thriving there.

Talking of bullfinches, I've seen a pair regularly over the past couple of weeks in the patch of scrub beyond the northeast of the reserve. Usually very shy, this pair for once allowed me to get within about 35 feet.

Snowdrops have appeared in the southwestern end of Catscliff Wood.

On the 28th there was an exciting spot. In the trees around St Anne's churchyard just a few hundred yards from the reserve was a hawfinch. I'd never seen this species before. And surprise, surprise, it was there again on the 29th with a couple of mates. By the 30th a total of nine birds were seen, bettered only once in the region at Yate in 2006 when twelve individuals were seen.

Mike.

December

2009-01-02T03:47:00.000-08:00

I had another superb day's wildlife spotting at Willsbridge today, 17th December.

I joined my pal Jerry in the park just after 10am, and armed with cameras and long lenses we headed to the north eastern end, dropping nuts and seeds on the fence posts. The usual bluetits, great tits and the resident male robin soon put in an appearance. We walked along the path to St Anne's church car park where there is a large weeking willow. There is often plenty of bird activity around this area and we were immediately rewarded with several goldfinches and a bullfinch. Just about to head back, we spotted a treecreeper climbing the trunk of the willow.

Walking back towards Willsbridge we saw a songthrush and several dunnocks. Dropping more nuts and seeds on the posts on the way back, we had to chase away a rather cheeky squirrel to prevent it hoovering up the bird food.

Continuing along past the quarry, we saw a great spotted woodpecker. Keeping quiet, we watched it for several minutes until it gradually drifted northwest up the hill.

I said to Jerry "A treecreeper and GS woodpecker. What a great morning. All we need now a grey wagtail and a dipper to round it off."

Jerry's comment was "Of all the places we go to see wildlife, we get the best variety at Willsbridge, and it's even better because we can get close." And I think this is one of Willsbridge's strengths. Because it is a suburban reserve with regular walkers then the wildlife has become accustomed to people.

As if to order, the grey wagtail appeared, darting over the roof tiles of Mill Cottage, and we also saw a single dipper in the brook between the garden and Willsbridge Hill.

Finally, as I left Jerry at the Long Beach Road car park, I walked home along the path adjacent to the car park and spotted a tiny goldcrest in the trees. A wildlife reserve is really something special when even the car park has something to offer!

Cheers,
Mike.