A pied flycatcher has arrived at Nagshead. This is an unusually early time for this species to arrive because as a rule they turn up in the middle of the month. Newly reached from Africa, this male was seen searching for food around the edges of the pond. Soon it will set up a territory and attract a mate. Our delight at seeing this early individual made the cold and windy weather this morning all the worth while!

Another…

This time of year proves very fruitful to a birdwatcher. There is a flurry of activity as summer migrants arrive and set up and sing for their territories. Seen so far are Blackap, first heard singing 25/3, Willow warbler 29/3 and Chiffchaff 24/3. Winter birds are also here, with Bramblings still being seen on the reserve 28/3 and passage birds such as Meadow pipit 28/3 witnessed flying overhead. Resident birds are more…

The next guided walk will be the Dawn Chorus: ideal if you don't mind an early start!

It is the deepest darkest depths of winter and the forests may seem gloomy and uninviting, but if you choose your day carefully and venture into them you shall not be disappointed. A calm grey day such as was yesterday can yield a great many wildlife sightings. At Nagshead there were jays a plently, (I saw at least six) and even got right up close to one of these wonderfully coloured birds while it was feeding on the ground…

The stunning shimmering autumn colours of autumn are all too ephemeral, and with the strong winds of late, many of the trees have already lost their leaves. Hurry down to one of the reserves to treat your eyes on this annual phenomenon before it all too quickly dissapears.

Leaf fall does bring about one great advantage however, which is especially pronounced in a woodland environment. It becomes MUCH easier to view birds…

At Nagshead: Late summer is a relatively peaceful time on the reserve and it is lovely wandering through the trees and hardly seeing another person. The recent bout of drizzle has started to bring the fungi out. There are over 400 species of fungi recorded at Nagshead, and just this week, I have seen Larch bolete, Common earthball and Sickener as well as quite a few that I am not able to identify! The huge beech trees on…

At Nagshead: With the young birds fledging, it is getting increasingly difficult to see our summer migrants. Pied flycatchers in particular are starting to move on. I heard one in the carpark just yesterday, which is a most unusual place for them to be sighted. Talk about an easy sighting, but alas there were no visitors around at that time to witness it! Not as striking as the pied, is the spotted flycatcher - a still…

At Nagshead: The first nightjars of the season were seen yesterday (13/5) on Farmers Green. These crepuscular birds prefer scrubby or heathland habitat and will move away once succession progresses to closed forest.

If you would like to see these mysterious animals in action, please join us on one of our Nightjar Walks. The three dates are 12/6, 23/6 and 10/7. Call the office on 01594 562852 to book.

Other birds hanging…

Nagshead

All the summer migrants are now in - except for the nightjar - which we expect to arrive form mid-May.

Not all pied flycatchers are in yet, but some of those that have arrived are paired and are nest building. At the moment, these can be viewed from the short trail. Please keep to the trails to reduce disturbance to the birds.

Redstarts are present,  though difficult to see, in the old oak stands. Best to try…