Nature Notes - July 2025
Sickleholme Nature Notes
Until July, I had only twice seen Mullein growing on the course, once below the 13th tee and once in the cross ditch on the 9th. Both disappeared during autumnal tidying up, never to reappear, but in recent weeks I have counted eight stems in the disturbed area around the new 6th tee. This relocation of soil seems to have triggered what is known as the dormant seed effect and the results are impressive. The height and yellow flowers make the species difficult to miss, as can be seen from Stephen Pollard’s photo image. Other wildflowers that have added colour to the course during the month have included Betony, Harebells, Rosebay Willowherb and Knapweed.
As briefly mentioned last month, we now have Alan Kydd’s nest box update. Of 28 available boxes, 19 were occupied by Blue Tits, Great Tits and, in one case, Coal Tits whilst bees nested in another. Despite some predation, 84 fledglings survived. Whilst that is a little down on our average, it compares favourably with other sites monitored by Alan in a difficult year for breeding birds. Sadly, some of the boxes installed via the Network Rail mitigation scheme are in poorly selected places, or are too high for monitoring, so Alan plans to move a number during the winter. Many thanks to Alan, as ever, for his efforts on our behalf.
Matt again reported seeing bats and there was a good number of butterfly species of which Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Large White were additions to our 2025 list. Two more colourful moths were seen, being Yellow Shell and Northern Spinach.
As with golf, our wildlife produces winners and losers. The Barn Owls didn’t breed in the barn this year (hopefully a temporary absence), we haven’t yet attracted a Little Owl to the nest box that awaits, and I haven’t seen or heard a single Redpoll on the course this year. On the plus side, however, plenty of other species with a Goshawk on 8 July, a Kestrel carrying prey towards the nesting area, and two Jays regularly seen and heard from midmonth.
As always, grateful thanks to all members who contribute to our monthly summaries.
Bryan Barnacle