Tree works at the lakes this autumn

As suspected, more trees are to be cut along the east side of Windmill Pool this autumn, with some cutting also taking place along the south side of Engine Pool too. The following note from C&RT ecologist Paul Wilkinson concerns the proposed tree work around the lakes:

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Hi Bob,

Please could you circulate the planned tree works, the works are due to the reservoir engineers concern regarding the reservoir embankments and preventive measures to stop the likelihood of trees falling and blocking weirs in a storm event, all tree works have also been assessed by an independent arboriculturalist.

Please let me know if you have any concerns, I believe all the trees have already been marked, P= pollard at height, a line or F is fell to the base or the line.

Sorry for the short notice, they would like to start next week.

Regards,

Paul.

Bat box survey, 12/09/2015

Earlswood Wildlife Partnership today did a bat box survey at Earlswood, and although we only checked 42 of the 100+ boxes there it was a good one. We had a few Soprano Pipistrelles, a Noctule and best of all 2 Brandt's/Whiskered Bats! Paul Wilkinson (C&RT ecologist) thinks they were Whiskered, which as far as I'm aware would be a first for Earlswood, but there is also only one previous record of Brandt's in the area, so either way a great record! Hopefully DNA analysis on some droppings we collected from the box they were in will give us a positive ID...

Noctule Bat

Brandt's/Whiskered Bat - 2 in box

Moth evening at St. Patrick's Church

Earlswood Wildlife Partnership invite you to join them for an evening looking at the fascinating night-time world of moths – an opportunity to see a variety of moths caught in special light traps around the churchyard and to learn more about them.

Thursday 17th September 7.30pm in the Undercroft (rear of the church). Light refreshments will be provided.


For further information, speak to Tony Philp 01564 702915

Autumn patch all-dayer

Yesterday several midlands patches did an all-day bird race. The results are as follows:

1. Belvide - 91 spp.
2. Upton Warren - 89 spp.
3. Grimley - 88 spp.
4. Clayhanger/Stubber's Green - 81 spp.
5. Middleton Lakes - 77 spp.
6. Earlswood - 56 spp.

We had only a fool's hope against those other patches, but we fought bravely! ;-) Thanks to Jon Chidwick, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Tony Philp and John Sirrett for also taking part at Earlswood. I managed to connect with all 56 of the species recorded at Earlswood, namely:

1. Mute Swan
2. Greylag Goose
3. Canada Goose
4. Mallard
5. Shoveler
6. Tufted Duck
7. Great Crested Grebe
8. Cormorant
9. Grey Heron
10. Sparrowhawk
11. Buzzard
12. Moorhen
13. Coot
14. Black-headed Gull
15. Lesser Black-backed Gull
16. Herring Gull
17. Stock Dove
18. Wood Pigeon
19. Collared Dove
20. Kingfisher
21. Green Woodpecker
22. Great Spotted Woodpecker
23. Sand Martin
24. Swallow
25. House Martin
26. Grey Wagtail
27. Pied Wagtail
28. Wren
29. Dunnock
30. Robin
31. Blackbird
32. Song Thrush
33. Blackcap
34. Garden Warbler
35. Common Whitethroat
36. Chiffchaff
37. Goldcrest
38. Long-tailed Tit
39. Blue Tit
40. Great Tit
41. Coal Tit
42. Nuthatch
43. Treecreeper
44. Jay
45. Magpie
46. Jackdaw
47. Carrion Crow
48. Raven
49. Starling
50. House Sparrow
51. Chaffinch
52. Greenfinch
53. Goldfinch
54. Siskin
55. Linnet
56. Bullfinch

We'll do another all-dayer next spring, hopefully against the above five patches plus the Warwickshire patches that participated in the spring this year.