Things have been fairly quiet on the reserves lately, as is usual for this time of year. Our summer migrant birds are all on the move southwards and our winter visitors have not yet arrived. Lots of nature can still be found however, especially around the Nursery Meadows and ponds at Nagshead. Dragonfly species, such as Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter can still be found and the long grass around the edges harbour a chorus of chirping crickets. The settled and warm weather has been very welcome for our late butterfly species; good numbers of Speckled Wood and Red Admiral can be seen around the Long Trail on a nice day. Wild Boar are becoming more noticeable now as they begin their autumn routine of turning over grassed areas in search of food. Sightings of these elusive creatures should become more regular as the Bracken dies back. Resident birds, such as tit species, are beginning to form feeding flocks in the woodland and two Kingfishers have been regular visitors to the Lower Hide ponds. It looks like it will be a good berry and nut year for some tree species, notably Hawthorn and Beech; these food sources should attract new arrivals such as Redwings and Bramblings come November.
Those of you who have visited Nagshead recently may be wondering why some of the oaks around the Short Trail and Lower Hide area have been marked with orange paint. The Forestry Commission will be undertaking a very light crown thinning operation through the area in the coming weeks in line with the Forest Design Plan which was approved last year. We are working very closely with the Forestry Commission throughout the thinning process to ensure the conservation value within this section is not compromised and potential benefits are maximised. The work will help to improve the health of target oaks giving them space to become true veterans in the future, encourage oak regeneration to diversify the age structure and increase the amount of fallen deadwood on the woodland floor. We are pleased that the Forestry Commission are taking a non-standard approach to this work, rather than retaining the tall, straight trees which would generally be viewed as the crop to maintain, they are selecting to keep the more branched trees which are of higher conservation value and will provide most opportunities for feeding and breeding birds, bats and invertebrates now and as they grow older. All standing deadwood within the section will remain for its conservation value. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time and ask that visitors please take heed of any warning signs around the trails.