February Nature Notes
Sickleholme Nature Notes
I was clearly optimistic when writing about Spring species last month as February finished with the heaviest snowfall of the winter and some very cold conditions. Whilst such periods can be bad news for mammals and birds, it is the opposite for many invertebrates which are freeze tolerant and the hard ground protects them from predators.
Trevor Hoyland found evidence of Badgers in one part of the course, there were still plenty of Grey Squirrels about and one further sighting of a Stoat. The latter caused one member to state that my notes on separating Stoat and Weasel last month were not necessary as the two species are clearly “stoately different”. We do have fun in the EGGS!
A Barn Owl box has now been fitted in the barn on the 8th hole, thanks to John Ellicock and our regular “bird-box” man, Alan Kydd from Hathersage. A splendid initiative of John’s and with Barn Owls having been seen locally, it would be great to host our very own pair. A rare mild day on 20th threw up some nice surprises with the first Curlew and Skylark of the year being heard, whilst a pair of Bullfinch were together along the railway hedge.
The clubhouse feeders continued to attract a good range of birds which included Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and up to seven Long-Tailed Tit. The latter are a particular favourite of mine in their pink, black and cream plumage (see Hilary Tann’s lovely photo) and they certainly have plenty of character. One such trait is that when moving from one bush to another then instead of flying in a flock, they will usually move one at a time as if sounding the “all-clear” to the next in line. It is now accepted that feeding stations such as ours play a very important part in the survival of birds during harsh weather or when natural food is in short supply.
Time now, I think, to be look ahead to the first Coltsfoot, Dandelion and Lesser Celandine (many of the early wildflowers are yellow in colour), a build up in bird song, the Moorhens back on the pond by the car park and the first butterflies of the year. Please do let me have any sightings that you think will interest other members. Many thanks.
Bryan Barnacle
