7th April 2012 – overcast NE1

Summary

The second early morning transect visit was timed to coincide with light winds and overcast skies and the flora of the course continues to attract attention. Primroses were in evidence around the 8th hole quarry and a clump of Marsh Marigold was in flower amongst the margins of the 9th hole pond. Also seen were two Roe Deer which strolled across the 7th fairway and disappeared into the 8th hole plantation.

Marsh Marigold, Primrose and Roe Deer

A record day total of 37 bird species were logged including five new additions for the year which move the course list on to 56 species. The day began with Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff and Tree Sparrow all in the strip of woodland behind the 4th and 11th greens. Further highlights involved flyover Grey Heron, Hooded Crow and Cormorant amongst a steady movement of gulls before a pair of Linnet were found prospecting the gorse by the 15th tee. A Skylark continues to sing over the field between the 14th fairway and 17th tee and a second pair of Long-tailed Tits were then in the 8th hole plantation along with a pair of Bullfinch and territorial Goldcrest and Coal Tit. A female Sparrowhawk flew down the 9th fairway where the pond held both Moorhen and a drake Mallard before a further Coal Tit held territory in the pines between the 4th and 5th fairways. Near the clubhouse small flocks of Starling and Rook fed along the 18th fairway and a few House Sparrow were around the car park.

Bullfinch and Linnet

Bird Species List

Blackbird (9)

Blue Tit (8)

Bullfinch (2)

Carrion Crow (6)

Chaffinch (15)

Chiffchaff (1)

Coal Tit (3)

Cormorant (1)

Dunnock (6)

Goldcrest (1)

Goldfinch (5)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)

Greenfinch (1)

Great Tit (4)

Grey Heron (1)

Herring Gull (7)

Hooded Crow (1)

House Sparrow (2)

Jackdaw (2)

Jay (1)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (35)

Lesser Redpoll (1)

Linnet (9)

Long-tailed Tit (4)

Magpie (4)

Mallard (1)

Meadow Pipit (7)

Moorhen (1)

Pied Wagtail (8)

Robin (7)

Rook (10)

Skylark (1)

Sparrowhawk (1)

Starling (7)

Tree Sparrow (2)

Woodpigeon (4)

Wren (6)

2nd April 2012 – overcast/light showers WSW2/3

Summary – An early morning visit was greeted by overcast skies and light showers. Starting at the clubhouse the route took in the 8th hole plantation, along the 7th and 6th fairways to the 4th before returning along the 9th fairway. The Celandine has recently come into flower and was noted to be abundant in several areas of the course.

Celandine

The visit provided a total of 26 bird species including three further additions to the course list. The area around the clubhouse held Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Goldfinch and the usual resident species were again in evidence en route to the 8th fairway where the adjacent hedgerow held two migrant Redwing. Crossing to the 8th hole plantation a Siskin and small numbers of Meadow Pipit were passing overhead to be followed by the highlight of the morning when a party of seven Crossbills flew over the plantation and appeared to land in the pines between the 4th and 5th fairways – unfortunately further searching failed to relocate the birds but they may still be present feeding on the multitude of pines cones available. Other highlights involved a Moorhen that scurried for cover on the edge of the pond on the 6th and a Snipe was flushed from the rough ground by the 4th tee. A Jay was again in the vicinity of the woodland behind the 4th and 11th greens and what was presumably the Skylark from yesterday was still holding territory.

Moorhen and Snipe

Bird Species List

Blackbird 2

Blue Tit 4

Carrion Crow 4

Chaffinch 4

Crossbill 7

Coal Tit 1

Collared Dove 1

Goldcrest 2

Goldfinch 7

Greenfinch 2

Great Tit 1

Herring Gull 6

House Sparrow 6

Jay 1

Lesser Black-backed Gull 28

Meadow Pipit 4

Magpie 2

Moorhen 1

Pied Wagtail 1

Redwing 2

Robin 2

Siskin 1

Skylark 1

Snipe 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Woodpigeon 3

The moth trap was again set and provided a total of 17 moths of six species involving Hebrew Character (10), Common Quaker (3), Red-green Carpet (1), March Moth (1), Water Carpet (1) and Double-striped Pug (1) were logged.

March Moth and Water Carpet

1st April 2012 - bright and sunny/calm

Summary - A mid-day visit took in the track and tree line behind the 4th and 11th green and revealed that the gorse is now well in flower and that the first few bluebells are also in bloom while the first butterflies were on the wing with six Small Tortoiseshell found basking in the warm sunshine.

Gorse and Bluebell

Small Tortoiseshell

A total of 18 bird species were logged including two new additions to the course list. The resident species are now in fine voice as the breeding season approaches with Robin, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Greenfinch all holding territories while several pairs of Blue Tits were noted in the vicinity of the recently erected nest boxes. A Buzzard was seen in the field behind the 13th green and a Skylark was heard singing before a Jay screeched and a Siskin flew over. A short evening visit added a Sparrowhawk flying along the 9th fairway and two Long-tailed Tit were in the 8th hole plantation.

Skylark and Sparrowhawk

Bird Species List

Blackbird 2

Blue Tit 8

Buzzard 1

Chaffinch 3

Coal Tit 1

Collared Dove

Dunnock 1

Goldfinch 2

Greenfinch 2

Great Tit 1

Jay 1

Long-tailed Tit 2

Magpie 2

Pied Wagtail 1

Robin 3

Siskin 1

Skylark 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Wren 1