Through the autumn and winter we shift our attention to habitat management in preparation for the return of birds in the spring. This winter we are looking at doing some moorland management work which first requires us to survey the habitat before management to be able to see how it changes. We have therefore been setting up 2m quadrats and recording the presence and coverage of certain species such as heather, crowberry, cranberry and cotton grass.
Quadrat being set up
We are also recording the presence of different moss species, specifically sphagnums and hypnales along with other interesting species. Some species are relatively simple to identify but others require the use of a hand lens or microscope.
Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelpus loreus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium
While on the moorland tops we are also looking to remove the 1000s of self sown conifers that have appeared over many years and also the occasional rhododendron. Many have needed chainsaws while others can just be pulled out.
The movement of birds has continued recently with highlights being a dunlin flying over Gadfa and a lapwing in the fields. Also up the Gadfa valley there has been a good movement of chaffinch with 170 flying through in small groups over a couple of hours on the 5th November, a single brambling also heard among the flocks. A merlin has been hanging around that area in the hope of an easy meal, though the crows like to give it a hard time. The colder weather has brought a lot of birds to our Coed y Capel hide feeders with a pair of great spotted woodpeckers giving visitors great views just inches from the windows. Siskin, nuthatch and goldfinch also brighten up the feeders.
Gavin Chambers, Assistant Warden