No camera - silly!

This morning was bright and warm, but foolishly I decided not to bother to take my camera across the common and round about. Whilst this was vindicated on the common itself (I did see two Reed Buntings, but would not have had a chance of a picture), when I reached the path behind Warren Barns I found myself surrounded by Goldcrests. Now these are never going to be easy to photograph, and sometimes they are very hard to see although you can hear them. Sometimes however, as today, they are very confiding and show themselves quite openly. Then I saw a Tree Creeper and again would have had a chance of a picture. Perhaps I've learned my lesson, but we'll see!

Was pleased to see the water level on Scouts' Pond is a lot more healthy after the recent rain.

Redwings amid the winter thrushes

Very little of note about today, but the district is full of thrushes that have come for the winter. These are mainly blackbirds, but I did find a couple of Redwings this afternoon, enjoying the berries on School Common.

Yet more thanks from the Chairman

I was one of those unable to attend the working party on 3rd December, but walking across the Common later I saw that the cutting of Area A had indeed been completed. And this despite the mulled wine!

Was pleased to find a female Bullfinch at School Meadow, but not much else about.

The chairman's message:

Big thanks and appreciation go to all those who helped yesterday morning.

We were a bit shorthanded but quality certainly made up for quantity.  I know that several regulars couldn't come;  each with a very good reason but they all add up.  Nevertheless, we have made huge inroads into this season's work and can justifiably forget about cutting and raking and pulling and pushing that cart around, at least until the New Year.

 

Special  thanks go to the Catering Corps which dispensed a their own unique encouragement.  SCT  now appears to have a magic teapot that turns water into wine!

 

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from John 

Further thanks from the Chairman

Dear All

 

Those who worked this morning deserve a special thank you and recognition for doing a splendid job which deserves, and gets, the appreciation of the whole village.  On a truly autumnal morning which certainly lived up to the poet's mists, if not his mellow fruitfulness, you turned to with a will and worked as a team to achieve a great result which has put us right on track to finish the Warren Road part before Christmas.  Please do not let the morning's interesting climax cloud the huge esteem in which we are held both by the community at large and our Parish Council.  It concerns me when people show disapproval of our efforts, however small a minority that may be, so I shall be working this week to build bridges and foster understanding. 

 

Thanks again for your continuing  efforts.  The final working party for this year is Saturday 3rd. December, by which time our Treasurer may have an answer from the European Central Bank about buying more Jaffa Cakes.

 

Finally, we are working so well together that it seems some sort of Christmas get-together would be appropriate, indeed it would seem neglectful not to.  I need to know how you feel.

 

Regards and thanks again from John

Fieldfares and starlings

On a fabulously sunny and warm day a trip round the common seemed a good plan. I didn't get there until 2.00, so the sun was already getting low, and being so bright made seeing a tad difficult. There was not actually much to see, but lingering on the platform at Scouts' Pond for a while, I was rewarded by a glimpse of two fieldfares. Not the first of the year I know, but welcome just the same. They are very flighty birds however, so my view was only brief.

Further on, the was a nice group of starlings disporting themselves in the sunshine on the wires crossing the field opposite The Pit. I love to hear them sing in conditions like this, and indeed there had been a lot at it when I was in Sheringham just before I came to the Common. They were good enough to pose for a picture:

I see the BTCV people have cleared away all the cuttings from the last working party, so it's all systems go to try to finish Area A tomorrow. Let's hope it stays dry!

Thanks from the Chairman

Thanks go out to everyone who helped make it a blinding start to the cutting season yesterday.  Despite waking up to grey gloom and drizzle, nearly all the regulars, 16 in all, rose admirably and cheerfully to the task in hand with impressive result. 

 

It has to be said that some ideas are so good you wonder why no one  tried them before.  Such is the Dowland Tea Pot, actually a catering size pump-action Thermos flask, which had its inaugural outing and dispensed much hot satisfaction.  Consequently, those present yesterday might reflect on the fact that they were witness to a flowering of Trust infrastructure with new officers in both Catering and Health & Safety; thank you Margaret and Roger.

 

The next working party is on Sunday 20th.November, 9:30am, continuing where we left off yesterday,  and after that the 3rd. December will conclude matters for 2011.  With BTCV booked to help twice, and given reasonable weather, I am optimistic that we can complete Area 'A' and resume on the other side of the Beck in January.

 

Thanks again for your help

Regards from John

First frost and fieldfares

Having the day off work, and the morning being so glorious, a walk across the boardwalk seemed essential. It had been cold overnight, and the first frost of the season was still lying on the shaded sections of the boardwalk. Not much wildlife to report, but I did find a female reed bunting on the reedbed. Walking down Bradfield Road my attention was drawn to what sounded like a duck in the undergrowth, but it turned out to be a couple of cock pheasants having a set-to.

As I was taking a look at Scouts' Pond, which was slightly fuller as a result of yesterday's rain, a flock of about 20 fieldfares flew overhead. These were my first for the season, and all the more satisfying for that.

Summer clinging on

It was no doubt a beautiful early morning, following a cold clear night. However, the desperate desire for a lie-in, and a rugby world cup semi-final to watch, prevented me from virtuously enjoying it. Nonetheless, when I finally did surface, it was gorgeous: warm and bright, but lacking the summer's humidity. Although the leaves on my lawn  proclaim it really is autumn, today we were back to summer, and there were still some summer creatures on view. I found a few dragonflies, including this ruddy darter at Scouts' Pond, and plenty of mosquitoes found me.

On School Common there was the usual crop of puffballs, but this year even better than last.

No doubt we are in the middle of the autumn influx of finches and thrushes, but I wasn't able to find any concrete evidence of them. There was a flock of finches making quite a racket in the trees near the main car park for the common, but try as I might I couldn't see a single bird - most frustrating! I wondered if I might find a redwing, but neither sight nor sound came my way.

Meanwhile, back at the Beck, the bright sun filtering through the becoming-brittle leaves and lighting up the stream seemed worth a snap.

Not too hot for deer

In this unseasonably hot weather I didn't expect to find much on the common this morning, but there was a jay around, presumably busily gathering acorns for its winter cache. It posed prominently enough for a long-distance snap, which does at least show off its beautiful blue wing bars.

A few yards further on I spotted a Chinese Water deer in amongst the short reeds in the area best known for its orchids and cotton grass. Fortunately the orchid flowers are long past for the season, so the deer wasn't eating those.It was clearly aware of me, and was frozen still. After a while it realised it had to get away, so slowly slunk off. In no time it had disappeared, but not before I'd got a few pictures, showing its diagnostic kangaroo-like ears.

Indian summer, or new spring?

Today is so warm it's like summer - the papers inevitably say it's an Indian summer. The chiffchaffs on School Common however are singing; so I guess they think it's spring again. They are very tame, but flitting in and out of the late summer foliage I cannot get a clear picture of them.

There is a marsh marigold on the main boardwalk that is less inclined to hide. I photographed it last week, but it's still there in all its glory, and I can't resist taking another shot today.

Nearing Pit Common from the Warren Woods direction I hear a green woodpecker. I have had strangely few sightings of Great Spotted woodpeckers this year. Further along the road, more or less opposite The Hill, I find a comma butterfly, and there was a Red Admiral at the Pit. I'd seen a speckled wood on School Common, and there was still a ruddy darter dragonfly at Scouts' Pond.

All in all, very satisfactory for what can be a rather boring time of year.

Magic half hour

2 p.m. on a very warm and sultry afternoon didn't seem a good time to go out with a view to seeing anything very exciting on the Common, but as so often turns out to be the case, my expectations were exceeded many times over. Even before I got to the Common, I had a brilliant view of a female sparrowhawk in Sandy Lane. It perched right beside my car, but not for long enough for my fumbling fingers to get my camera out of its case.

There was nothing very remarkable on School Common, but calling in at Scouts' Pond on the Jubilee Boardwalk  often yields good views of dragonflies, and today was a good example. The most obvious ones were ruddy darters, and I got photos of both the male an female:

There was also a Common Hawker, hawking around in a common sort of way, on our Common:

Once I reached the main boardwalk across the Common I was happy to see lots of swallows still in evidence (keep those records of swallows and house martins coming in please, so we can see when they leave us). Alarm calls directed my attention to a swallow giving another sparrowhawk a hard time as it flew past - brilliant! A short distance further on, and I found this female Common Darter dragonfly:

Once the other side of the bridge (sadly someone is still determined to prevent the beck's banks from being protected) I glimpsed what is incredibly my first Peacock butterfly of the year - but no chance of a photo. They do seem to have been scarce in this area this year - sightings are needed for the survey please.

Hearing another agitated swallow I looked up, to see several high in the sky to the east of the common mobbing a soaring buzzard. At the same time I noticed what was obviously another raptor moving at speed from that direction, and coming directly overhead. With a thrill I realised it was a hobby. This time I had the presence of mind to fire off a few photos. Hardly the best picture of a hobby ever taken, but for all fans of subbuteo this is what I got:

There were also plenty of grasshoppers, some of which seemed keen to have their pictures taken. I believe this is a Meadow grasshopper:

And then, to cap it all, in the same area, not far away from Warren Road, I saw at last a lizard, which I've been missing for a couple of years. A few moments later, there was a brief glimpse of a tiny one - presumably very young.

All this had happened in the space of half an hour or less - I'm glad I went out after all!

Swift exits

This call for help may already be too late, but it's worth a go. One of the species in our Southrepps Wildlife Survey is the swift, and I would like to track the last date it was seen in the area this year. It seems that they are leaving the country in great numbers now, and I have not seen one for a few days. I would therefore be grateful if you could record the last date on which you see one: the easiest way is to simply let me know every date you see one from now on.

Email me at birdsigthings@tiscali.co.uk or via the website at http://www.southreppscommonstrust.org.uk/sct2/wildlifesurveytwo.htm

Many thanks, Duncan

Drat that pesky Balsam!

When it is announced that the Himalayan Balsam Threat has been averted for the year, we seasoned HM Hunters know to start taking pinches of salt. This is because inevitably, every time such an announcement is issued, another crop of the pernicious weed raises their pretty heads, proclaiming "you can't catch me!"

Well, we can and we do. Accordingly, on 15th August, under the determined leadership of the HM Hunter-in-Chief, David, six doughty volunteers arrived in response to the clarion call. We struggled through head-high reeds; we forded the Beck at great risk to the dryness of our socks; we risked nettle stings; we ate blackberries. And we prevailed! As we parted company an hour and a quarter later, we were convinced no more Balsam plants remained.

I took a walk in an area I only visit in my wellies, and found more of the wretched plants. I pulled them up, all alone and yet I too prevailed. In that spot, there are no more living Balsam plants. And yet I know that a few yards further on, there will be more, ready to re-start their invasion next year.

Bird sighting scramble!

When Tim calls you to say he has just seen a Turtle Dove near the entrance to the Common, you drop everything (in this case the washing up) and get there. Sadly, although I was there within 10 minutes of when he had seen it, I was not so lucky. He joined me after a few minutes, and we spent quite a while looking for it, but it had gone, or was hiding.

This was the second Tim had seen in the area in as many days; both had been on the ground eating grit,. which aids their digestion.

All was not in vain however: just as we were about to part, a Hobby flew across, low enough to be able to make out its moustachial stripe and its reddish thigh feathers. Better still, a few minutes later, as I was taking one last look, the Hobby came back, flying higher and faster, announced by the alarm calls of a swallow it obviously had in mind for supper. It was my first sighting of a Hobby this year, and my best so far. I only hope it doesn't eat that Turtle Dove!

Bridge at risk

Had a nice walk with Tim and our two dogs today. After a while and a good romp, it dawned on his adolescent labrador that my middle-aged retriever can be quite attractive: the charms of a mature blonde eventually making him quite amorous. We were mainly hoping to find crossbills, which have been seen a lot recently, but not today.

We had also been told a couple of days ago of a white admiral butterfly opposite the primary school, but it was not there today, or last Thursday when I looked. Right now, that area, particularly the bit of woodland that the Jubilee Boardwalk runs through, including Scouts' Pond, is my favourite part of the common. There seem to be more birds in that little patch than anywhere else at the moment, and many of them are this year's youngsters. Caught a glimpse of a tree creeper the other day, but it didn't hang around to have its picture taken.

What I find infuriating is the attitude of at least one person using the common, who seems determined to literally undermine our efforts to protect the bridge across the Beck. The banks underneath the bridge have been eroding, caused we think by human and dog feet. If the banks go, with nothing to hold it up so will the bridge, so we took steps to shore the banks up and put some barriers in place to try to prevent entry to the water in the bridge's immediate vicinity. There's no problem with people or their dogs getting in the stream a few yards either side of the bridge, but not right next to it. We also put notices up, explaining the situation. It appears that someone objects to this, and has removed the notices, and broken down one of the barriers, making the bank beside the bridge vulnerable again. It will be a shame if the only way to protect the bridge is to put in some form of concrete banking in such a natural and attractive spot, but sadly it may come to that. Here's what you can see from it, which I think makes it worth looking after.

Desperately seeking sedge warblers

Tipped off by Tim that a sedge warbler had turned up and was in full song, I took a look on Sunday morning, hoping to get a picture as they are much less skulking than reed warblers. I did get a few good views, but no pictures, so I went back this evening. There are now two males singing, and they seem to be competing amongst themselves and a reed warbler. When you hear the two species together there is no mistaking them, but they can be a bit tricky to identify in isolation.

Anyway, these two birds are going at it full tilt at the moment, and well worth a visit. With our other reedbed signature species the reed bunting also singing constantly, it's a great time to hear all three together. I like to think it's testament to the quality of the management of the reedbed that we've had such success this year. Anyway, I did manage to get a couple of fuzzy shots, one of which has caught the bird singing. Not great, but they'll do until I get a better one.

Although I didn't get any joy with the sedges on Sunday, I did find an obliging ringlet: I suspect it was dying, as it was nowhere near as active as they usually are, but it did at least mean I could get a good shot with its wings open.

On Saturday John Dowland and I attended the Natural Neighbours conference in King's Lynn, organised by the BTCV. It was an excellent event, interesting throughout, and we made some useful contacts. Along with several other organisations, we gave a short presentation about our patch, and the remarks afterwards indicated that a few more people had understood what a special little spot this is.

Common at its absolute best

With this beautiful summer weather the common is at its most lovely right now. If you can visit it in sunshine, the detour to Scouts' Pond is well worth it, if only for the dragonflies. Last week's Black Tailed Skimmer is still there, but there is another species too, busy laying eggs. I think it is a Common Hawker, but I've sent it in to iSpot for confirmation. (No response from iSpot this time, but James Emerson of Norwich has posted a comment that it is in fact a female Emperor, and taking another look at my identification guide I see what he means - many thanks James!)

It's all happening on the insect front: as well as the dragonflies, the common is loud with the singing of grasshoppers. Still lots of ringlet butterflies, which are still infuriatingly fluttery from the photography point of view. On School Common I did find a meadow brown, which was much more obliging:

Not much happening with birds today, although one reed warbler and the reed bunting were still singing. A family of long tailed tits was above me on School Common, and I got a few pictures, one of which is this:

I was also pleased to find a female bullfinch on the Jubilee boardwalk: with any luck they have bred. It's also nice to hear a Stock Dove in the vicinity.

Real summer

Had a very satisfactory walk across the boardwalk this morning. As had been forecast, it was already pretty warm (25 degrees according to my car thermometer), and I had hopes of getting some photographs of the butterflies. In the event, the best I could manage was this shot of a ringlet, briefly still amongst some buttercups. Of the 5-spot burnet moths, which I had been particularly hoping for, there was frustratingly no sign.

The stream was looking lovely with the sun streaming through the leaves, and I thought that was worth a snap too.

However, the best and least expected, were the comparatively excellent views I had of reed warblers. It is hard enough to see these birds at the best of times, so I was very lucky to have such clear views of one rather agitated bird waiting for me to get out of the way so it could feed its young, and a little later another, slightly clearer view. I got the impression that there must be fledged young somewhere near, as I could hear the alarm calls in several places. 

If you look carefully at the image above, you can see that there is a ring on the bird's right leg. How I would love to know where and when that was fitted!

And finally, calling in at Scouts' Pond on my way back, I managed a few shots of a dragonfly. I think it's an Emperor Dragonfly, but I'm awaiting confirmation of that from the ever-reliable network of experts who monitor the excellent iSpot website, where I've posted my observation.(By the evening the result was in, and it turns out that the dragonfly was a black tailed skimmer.)

Butterflies galore

The butterflies are beginning to come into their own now. Lots of large whites, a fresh crop of speckled woods, and large numbers of ringlets. Today I also saw my first 5 spot burnet moths of the season, on the grassy area near Warren Road.

Heard two ssinging reed warblers, and one reed bunting. Blackcaps and chiffchaffs are still singing, although there seem to be fewer of them at it than before. Sadly, the willow warbler has stopped: I hope this doesn't mean its breeding failed, but I fear it might.

I'm also beginning to fear I will see no lizards on the boardwalk this year. A few weeks ago they were very common at Strumpshaw Fen, but no sign here. There were very few last year too, but in previous years they had been quite common. I wonder if the two snowy winters have killed them off?

Young whitethroats

Had a quick spin across the boardwalk and through School Common yesterday, trying without success to dodge the downpours. At least we don't need to bemoan the lack of rain at the moment! It was interesting to see how quickly the water level of Scouts' pond has risen.

Inevitably there was not much to be seen, but I did find either a female or juvenile blackcap. The highlight however was in the bushes on the area near Warren Road: an adult whitethroat was busy feeding three wonderful youngsters - very heartening.

Thanks - from John Houlgate 11th June

Thank you everyone who helped this morning.  Whilst not so grand as another parade taking place in London today, nevertheless I have no hesitation in saying we all passed muster.   And we had Margaret's cakes which is more than anyone on Horse Guards did.  A great job was done by all and the timing was immaculate - job done on the stroke of 2 hours.  Thanks again.

 

Next working party is earmarked for Sunday 17th July but tasks and dates are not so rigid during the summer.  I'm not going to create a job just for the sake of it.  We continue to have the help of BTCV for another 3 months at least so it may work out that they can have a session of what we did today.  I think you'll agree that it needed doing and that we've left the site looking well cared for.

Regards from John

All rather quiet really

Had a walk across the boardwalk this afternoon, and was struck by how few birds were singing. Granted it was warm, but not exceptionally hot, and it's not really so late in the year that they should have stopped yet. I was at Strumpshaw Fen yesterday, and the warblers were still in very good voice there. At Southrepps today, there were only two chiffchaffs and two blackcaps prepared to sing, along with the inevitable blackbirds and wrens. Not a squeak from reed warblers, reed buntings, whitethroats or willow warblers: I hope it's only temporary.

I did see a couple of red admiral butterflies, and there appears to be a second brood of speckled wood butterflies around. Also lots of grasshoppers going at it full pelt.

Good to see the original bench from the boardwalk in its new home, half way along the stretch of boardwalk between Warren Road and the Beck: I'm sure it will be very welcome. There had been a bit of a tidying-up working party this morning, and this was one of the jobs achieved.

Great to see Tim's posting - keep it up Dr!

Norfolk Reed

Norfolk reed, or to be more accurate Phragmites australis is the signature plant species of our commons; it’s what makes them so environmentally distinctive and visually exciting. It’s the backdrop, against which, everything else: willow, willow herb and rush, takes its place. I was walking through the boardwalk just this afternoon and once again marvelled at the contrast between the fresh vibrant green stems, springing from last winter’s cut and the mature parchment-tinted reeds, matured and sun-dried for three years. Of course this is entirely due to management– a well rehearsed regime of cutting, clearing and rotating, all designed to mimic what was, after all, a genuine working environment, where the reeds were cut, not for the amenity value of the landscape but for the material value of the crop.

Harvesting reed for Thatching has a long tradition in Norfolk but thatching-reed has to be of a particular quality and cut on a yearly cycle (which they call single wale). The common’s reed beds are cut in a way that is more environmentally focused (a two or three year rotation is actually better for wildlife). This also suits the volunteer workforce who, after all, are driven by the joy of it all, rather than the sale of the harvest.

For many years now I’ve been trying to find ways in which reed can be used for projects other than for thatching and in particular for sculpture. Of course Norfolk reed is perfect for thatching because it’s stiff, smooth and, when dry, sheds water. As a medium for sculpture however, it’s not particularly forgiving or easy to work. One thing’s for certain, it doesn’t bend, and believe me, I’ve tried everything from steaming to (very toxic) chemical treatments – it just won’t budge. Reed is particularly high in the glass-like material silica, which explains why the ancient Chinese potters used reed-ash as the basis for their glazes. This also goes some way in explaining its brittleness.

It does however bundle and bunch very beautifully and this is key to working with reed – you have to use methods that are sympathetic to its working character (which is another way of saying: ‘do what it tells you and stop trying to be clever’). As the photographs below go to show - you can bunch it, bind it and bundle it, but whatever you do, don’t bend it!

Moths

Excellent night last night. Tim hosted a moth hunt in his meadow, and for 3 hours we attracted a large number of moths to my expert friend's bright light. If it had not been so windy, we would have got more. The highlights for most of us were the exquisite Emperor Hawk moth, and the larger, but greyer, Eyed Hawk moth. It was fascinating to see how, once they had been convinced it was daytime, they settled down to rest in full view of everyone.The full list of moths recorded is now online at: http://www.southreppscommonstrust.org.uk/sct2/wildlife.htm

What a treat, and many thanks to Tim and Jane for their brilliant hospitality.

Summer already

Walking across the common today it struck me that although we are only a few days into June, summer is well and truly here. It has been exceptionally dry for weeks of course, but I notice the reedbed is still reasonably soft. Both the Pit and Scouts' Pond are now quite low, and I only hope we don't need a repeat of the fish rescue drama at the Pit. The orchids look to be past their best already, but there is still plenty of cotton grass and ragged robin to see.

Not very much bird activity, but there were still plenty of recently fledged blue tits in evidence, and the reed bunting was still singing from the back of the reedbed. Chiffchaffs are not singing with anything like as much conviction as recently, but blackcaps and whitethroats were still singing.

What I found less enchanting was the remainder of a picnic on School Common. At least, amongst all the other rubbish they had left behind, the litter louts had left their carrier bag, so it was relatively easy to clean up after them. I am very happy to do my bit for the community by helping where I can with looking after the commons, but it does infuriate me when I come across such laziness, thoughtlessness and downright anti-social behaviour.

On the same theme, Pit Common suffered some rare vandalism the other day, when someone took it into their head to dive a car up the track beside the pond. In doing so, they wrecked the dog waste bin that had only been in place a few months, after much lobbying of the parish council for the need.We can only hope that it can be quickly replaced.

A Queen's Award

The news that Southrepps Commons Trust has been granted the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is marvellous news, and a really meaningful expression of how much everyone involved does to make the commons such special places.

There has been a good write up of it in the Eastern Daily Press today: click this link to see the article.

EDP article:

We must be very grateful to the Parish Council for nominating us, and of course everyone who has ever been involved for making the area what it is. The challenge now is to keep up the good work!

Babies everywhere

Walking round the Commons yesterday I was struck by the numbers of recently fledged birds, particularly in the woods of School Common. Both the nest boxes that I knew had blue tit families in residence were now unoccupied so far as I could tell, but there were the begging calls of their former residents all over the wood.

I also found fledgeling long tailed tits, blackcaps and chiffchaffs, so I think it's fair to say it has been a successful breeding season already, despite the lack of rain.That lack of rain may well have an impact on the breeding success of swallows and house martins however, since they need mud to build their nests.

I always think the main common looks its absolute best at exactly this time of year, and although there was no sun, the section we cut every year was nonetheless a picture. The fresh growth of reeds contrasts vividly with the darker greens of older vegetation, and the fluffy cotton grass heads set it all off beautifully. Add to that the subtle purples and pinks of orchids and ragged robin, and you have a very pretty picture indeed. Not one my photographic skills would have been up to I fear, even if I had bothered to take my camera in such dull weather.

Glorious spring

I know we desperately need rain, but this has to be one of the best springs I can remember. This morning was glorious: warm, but fresh, with a perfect blue sky. Had a wonderful walk across the common, clocking up 30 bird species as well as a few butterflies and plants. At least two of our nestboxes in School Common are occupied by blue tits, but I hope several more boxes are also being used.

The flag irises are now in flower at Scouts' Pond, and although the water level has dropped a lot it looks good nonetheless. The picture doesn't do it justice.

After that, across the boardwalk I found not one but three reed warblers. There is rarely a more futile exercise than peering through reeds trying to find these birds, but I was anyway, when there was some fluttering on two appeared, one chasing the other. A bit of a territorial dispute I fancy. I had earlier had a reasonable view of a singing reed bunting. It was too far off for a good picture, but I see that my effort caught him in mid shout.

I see the orchids, ragged robin and cotton grass are all in flower, making a lovely show.

As for the butterflies, I found a speckled wood in Warren Woods, still several orange tips, and now there are also lots of green veined whites about.

Evening delights

Had a quick belt across the common this evening, in the late and cold bright sunshine. I'd gone for the encouraging reason that the box of wildlife survey forms needed topping up, and decided to take a quick look at what might be about at the same time.

I was not disappointed. Willow warbler and chiffchaff singing, alongside a song thrush. Then I heard my first sedge warbler of the season, in area C (the section cut last winter). There was also a reed bunting singing from somewhere in there.

And then, just as I was turning back from the Warren Road end, I got this good view of a muntjac. Not bad for a 15 minute walk!

Hares and wheatears (but not on the Common)

Maundy Thursday, very warm, slightly hazy. Having seen a couple of hares on Sunday when I didn't have my camera, I took myself  for a walk round the footpaths off Sandy Lane in the hope of getting a photo or two. I was initially disappointed, although I did find a brimstone butterfly for the survey, near the old graveyard.

But then, walking down Sandy Lane back towards the village I noticed a couple of birds on the brown earth of the field on the southern side. Closer inspection revealed they were wheatears - very good. A bit too far off for a decent photo, but here's what I got anyway.

Then I noticed a hare in the field which is planted with a cereal crop on the other side of the road. Having seen one, I realised there were two, and then I counted five! Four were chasing each other: not quite mad March hares, but clearly being aggressive. The fifth, which I imagine was a female watching proceedings, stayed some way off. Again, they were not close enough to get a particularly good picture, but this is the best of the ones I took.

The wildlife survey is taking off now, with a good few reports coming in. I saw my first speckled wood butterfly of the year in St. James's churchyard, so that's another one on the list. We've now had at least one report of everything we're looking at, except swifts. So who can see the first of those this year?

Song time

Had a lovely walk across the boardwalk this evening, enjoying the vast amount of bird song on offer. It started with a willow warbler, one of my favourite singers and not one we hear enough of in our neck of the woods. Soon after that I could hear chiffchaffs and blackcaps, and in the distance a song thrush.

As it happened, my route took me towards that thrush, and I eventually found myself standing beneath the tree it was singing from the top of. It was a truly virtuoso performance, and for all the wonderful songs of our visiting warblers, this bird is definitely one to treasure. It was accompanied by a blackbird and a blackcap, but that thrushwas undoubtedly the star of that particular show.

Silently, but it made my heart sing, glancing up I saw a female sparrowhawk fly across the common.

Not bad for a 40 minute stint!

Visitors arriving in droves

What a beautiful day! There have been others recently of course, but viewing them through an office window takes the shine off them. Today however was perfect: warm, but still fresh; a perfect, cobalt-blue sky; and lots of newly arrived birds to find without being too obscured by foliage.

On my walk round I heard 4 chiffchaffs sunging lustily, and was able to photograph this one at Scouts' Pond.

I was hopeful of also getting a picture of a blackcap: I heard 4 of those too, but none would stay in one place in clear view long enough. Never mind; next time perhaps.

At the junction of Chapel Road and Lower Street I found my first swallow of the year. As that is one of the species in our survey, that's another one off and running. Come on the rest of you, let's have your sightings! I can't believe I'm the only one seeing these things, especially since I'm only able to look at the weekends.So far we have 5 records of brimstone butterflies, and now this solitary swallow. There are also orange tip butterflies about, but they're not in the survey - perhaps we'll include them next year.

The orchid and cotton grass section of the common has some nice marsh marigolds growing in it: I found these less elusive to photograph than the warblers!

Chiffchaffs here

Taking my ears for a walk this morning, I was pleased to hear my first Chiffchaff of the year as far as the Common is concerned. I knew they were around, and had heard a couple at UEA during the week, but it's always great to get the spring migrants list for the Common under way. Now all we need are the rest!

Wildlife survey launched

Our wildlife survey for 2011 is now officially under way! We are surveying 7 easily recognised species: swifts, swallows and house martins for the bird lovers, brimstone, peacock and speckled wood butterflies for the lepidopterists, and hedgehogs for the hedgehog-ists.

We're hoping the children at the school will take part in large numbers, and involve their families. Tim Willey has explained what the survey is all about to them in a school assembly and every child was given one of our forms to get the started.

Forms are available from the Information Point at the Lower Street entrance to the Common, the Post Office in the High Street, and the Vernon Arms. Forms can be left for me at the Information Point and the Post Office, or posted to me.

However, we're hoping most reports will be submitted electronically, through the website. Jeannette, our wonderful website wizard, has done magnificent work to set up online forms, which generate an email to me. We have our first 3 records, all of brimstone butterflies, and as more come in the website will be updated with the results.

I do hope that lots of people take part: it's our contribution to a big push by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust to develop a clearer picture of the wildlife in the county, and I think it's well worth doing.

Gathering pace now

I think it's fair to say that spring is well and truly under way now. A walk round the common yesterday in glorious sunshine proves it. Blue tits were everywhere, including one investigating the nest box they use every year opposite the school. Great tits were singing wherever I went, along of course with lots of other birds. I'm not aware of any summer migrants having arrived here yet, but swallows, house martins and sand martins have already reached some parts of the country, so it won't be long now!I

Last week I had had a lovely view of a singing robin near Scouts' Pond, so this week week I brought my camera, and I'm quite pleased with the result.

Slightly further along the boardwalk, at the pond itself, I could hear a moorhen: with luck they will breed here as I think they did last year.There was frogspawn in the pond, and indeed last week I had seen a couple of frogs, doing what they do.

Last Monday evening five of the SCT trustees were lucky enough to attend a reception at County Hall given by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk for representatives of the five organisations nominated in the county for this year's Queen's Award for Community Service. We won't know the result for a few months yet, but it's great that the work we're doing is being recognised.

The latest project is our wildlife survey, which is almost ready to be launched properly. The online side is set up and working (3 brimstone butterflies recorded so far) and there are now forms available from the Post Office - you can also return completed forms there is you wish. We're waiting for more supplies, and then will be able to put them out fir use at the Information Point. Meanwhile, we hope to be telling the school children all about the survey very soon.

Working Party 6th March

Hello All,

Simply, thanks for the splendid work done this morning. 

Everyone can take satisfaction from, and be justifiably proud of, what's been achieved together.

Sadly, we didn't find a pingo so that bit of excitement was short-lived, but we live in hope.  There must be other special things lurking and discoveries to be made.

 

On Thursday week I shall set the BTCV to tidying the edges and odd bits of reed-bed that we left, together with a bit more scrub clearance on the periphery of what we did today.  And that really will be it for this season.

 

We next all meet together on Sunday May 8th at my place, when the Trust says thank you.  Shall we go the whole hog and make it black tie, or can we get away with something a little less formal?   The following evening, Monday 9th. May, is AGM, which is when you sieze the opportunity of becoming a Trustee.

 

Kind Regards from John

P.s. from Duncan:

It was a particularly enjoyable working party, with 17 volunteers having a thoroughly good time. the weather was just right: fine, without being too warm for the physical work we were doing. The ground conditions were good too, and even the vegetation was easy. There was even a faint smell of hay about the grasses and sedges we cut. John's cart was a great boon, as it has been throughout this cutting season.

And together we even managed to see quite a lot of wildlife. A sparrowhawk was spotted circling over Warren Woods, being mobbed by a crow. When a second crow joined in there were some serious aerobatics to be seen, before the hawk decided it was better off diving down into the woods for cover. A short while after, a barn owl flew across, presumably hoping for a nice easy vole brunch disturbed by our work. And indeed we had disturbed a couple of voles, but these were shepherded away to safety. A skein of about 30 pink footed geese flew overhead for good measure. 

And we found an early marsh marigold growing in a particularly wet patch. All in all, an excellent way to round off the season. 

Working Party 19 February

The Southrepps A Team proved again that nothing stands in its way.  Those who secretly hoped the dire predictions of the doom-mongers known as weather forecasters would come true were dissappointed on waking to a dry Saturday morning;  no time-off today.  Despite being one of those unfortunate days when several of our most loyal members couldn't join in, nevertheless great things were acheived and a lot of progress made.  I am pleased to report that, given a good turn-out on March 6th., it's on the cards to complete this year's programme with 1 session still in hand. 

 

So, thankyou to the stalwarts who did such good work yesterday and to everybody for your on-going contribution.  The day on which The Trust would like to formally say, "Thankyou" for all your hard work, which is an occasion for getting-together in slightly more civilised conditions, is Sunday May 8th.  Please note your diary accordingly.

 

Regards from John

Much more progress made

Having a bad back at the moment has meant that I could not take part in yesterday's working party. I promise the threat of rain had nothing to do with it, although I'm sure damp conditions are very bad for sciatica! Anyway, a gentle walk across the boardwalk today reveals that great progress was obviously made on the grassland area near Warren Road. It looks as though about half of the area to be cut this year was finished, so it bodes well for completion next time.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the wonderful crew from BTCV were here again, cutting back scrub at the eastern boundary of the site, again near Warren Road. This work should enable us to qualify for a further grant from Defra.

My walk today was far from exciting, with such dull grey weather, but I did at least mange to flush a woodcock on School Common. Even though it didn't much feel it, the birds are obviously convinced that spring is upon us, with quite a few species in song now.

Watch this space for news of the wildlife survey that the Trust is going to be conducting this year, as our contribution to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's overall monitoring of species in the county. Work is being finalised on the forms to be used, both paper-based and online, and we hope to launch the survey soon. Jeannette, our wonderful web master, is doing great work on the website, so we hope it will be easy for everyone who wants to join in to send us records of their sightings of the species we will be concentrating on this year.

Spring is springing

Wandering round the commons yesterday it was obvious that spring has really started. Birds were quite clearly pairing up, and the level of bird song increases each day. I was constantly accompanied by songs or calls from robins, great tits chaffinches and the inevitable collared doves (which don't seem to recognise the seasons anyway). The black headed gulls are beginning to develop their dark hoods, and the male blackbirds are starting to get that glossy sheen and bright yellow bills that indicate they are in breeding condition.

I was pleased to see that the offensive graffiti I had noticed on a tree next to the "forest schools" area on School Common has gone. Perhaps it washed off - it was written with ash - or perhaps someone wiped it off. If it was the latter - many thanks indeed.

Working Party 22nd January

14 of us turned up on a dreary Saturday morning, but were immediately cheered to see the excellent progress the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers had made. 19 of these splendid people had come the previous Thursday, and had done sterling work to clear away the mounds of cut reed and sedge we had left for them. They also dealt with some invasive scrub, and then went on to clear reeds cut to form a track through to the area for our attention on 22nd. The pictures show how well the central area (where the orchids and cotton grass grow) have been cleared. The BTCV people are due to return in a month's time, and again a month after that. It's a great help to ease the pressure on the regular SCT volunteers, and we're suitable grateful.

John's cart again proved up to the wet conditions, provided we laid some cut reeds down on the wettest parts to stop it sinking. We're looking into alternative approaches to this problem, but even so, it is a great improvement on dragging heavy tarpaulins across boggy ground. It's a shame I was less able to cope with the wet conditions: there was one spot where I sank to my knees in a boggy area. That can happen to anyone of course, but the sad fact is it happened to me twice more, in exactly the same place! What a shame I don't seem capable of learning from experience.

Anyway, as usual, after the appointed two hours of hard labour we all dispersed, tired and muddy (some muddier than others), but pleased with what we'd achieved, having had good fun with excellent company.

Later that day I walked round School Common. I was sad to see graffitti daubed  on a tree near the "Forest Schools" area. Perhasp it will wash off when it next rains, as it appears to have been written in ash. On a happier note, I discovered several chickens wandering about - either someone nearby is missing a few, or they just took themselves on a lttle excursion.

Thanks - from John Houlgate

Clearly, with yesterday's team on The Common anything is possible.  Thank you everyone for a super effort which started the year off really well.  The centre part is all but finished and we will set BTCV to work on the back section of reedbed.  Judging by yesterday's achievement we might be able to finish what they start when we next meet which is Saturday 22nd, starting 9:00am.  I am perfectly realistic about the cart's shortcomings but the fact that you all wanted to make it work and that in the end it was just more fun carried the day.  

 

For absent friends reading this, you may be reassured that we stopped working at 11:30 as promised, and by using the new cart instead of dragging tarpaulins the worst excesses of the customary mudbath were avoided. 

Hopefully this will encourage you to join us next time.

 

Regards from John

Working Party 9th January

A very successful working party in cold but sunny and pleasant conditions. 14 of us achieved a great deal, completing the cutting of the area where the cotton grass and orchids grow. The magnificent new cart was in use again and was once more a great success; it really does make life easier. Even the very boggy areas were negotiated successfully. We are lucky to have some help from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers coming this week, so were able to cut everything that needed it in that area, without having to remove it all, since the BTCV volunteers will finish that off.

Walking across the common yesterday I saw that the middle of Scouts' Pond is still frozen. Someone has thrown some tree branches onto it, which isn't very helpful.