Nature Notes - April 2026
Sickleholme Nature Notes – part one
Two sets of notes for April as part two will cover a further survey of the Upper Hurst Brook as flagged earlier in the year.
The early part of the month saw brighter, if occasionally cool, weather that encouraged growth and there were some nice patches of Sweet Violet amongst the wildflowers. More butterflies appeared and after the three species seen in March, we added plenty of Orange-tips, a few Holly Blues (see photo) and by mid-month the first Green-veined Whites.
Amongst the bird records, Curlews continued to be heard daily, Nuthatches were very vocal, Matt had sightings of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, several members reported Swallows from the 9th and by the end of the month at least five Blackcaps were holding territory. We also had reports of two Brown Hares (a declining species locally) whilst Michael Allen witnessed a Grey Squirrel relocating a young by carrying it in its mouth. I have been fortunate enough to see a Stoat doing that but never a squirrel. An excellent record.
In conversation with Matt, I was delighted to learn that he will again delay any spraying until well into May, as this will much assist our bees and other pollinators which we (and the course) need and value. I also suggested to Matt that when strimming the ditch on the ninth hole, they leave the greenside slope. Apart from the aesthetics, that would allow several extra species of wildflowers to prosper. Matt was amenable to that and added that he would include the area when distributing a wildflower seed mix, just received as part of the Network Rail arrangements, to a number of places around the course.
One such area will be close to the practice ground pond. This has had what initially appears to be a serious “haircut” but the vegetation, including some smart Marsh Marigolds, is rapidly reappearing and the clear out has much increased the visible water surface. This will hopefully allow the return of dragonflies and the pretty Brown China-mark moth, both of which went unrecorded last year. Patrick has also confirmed the presence of newts which is good news.
Part two will follow.
Bryan Barnacle
Holly Blue