Monday 21 May 2012

20th May 2012 – bright and sunny SE1


Summary
The dawn chorus walk around the course on 19th May 2012 was somewhat let down by Mother Nature who conspired to produce a cool morning combined with a fresh NE wind and rain. However an intrepid band turned up in the clubhouse car park at 0600hrs and undaunted headed out onto the course. Although many birds were keeping their heads down the group were treated to the sounds of Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff – all summer visitors to the course along with resident species such as Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Pied Wagtail. A retreat to the clubhouse as the weather worsened was rewarded with the sight of and excellent breakfast spread and three Wheatear feeding on the edge of the 18th fairway just outside the window. Breakfast included yogurt, fruit salad, fruit juice, toast and croissants, but the bacon butties stole the show.

Typically, next day dawned fine and dry and an afternoon visit provided two further new species for the course with Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler in the woodland along the northern edge where a Roe Deer was flushed from the scrub alongside the 13th hole. A check on the nest boxes erected earlier in the year revealed both Blue Tit and Great Tit busily feeding young while two pairs of Tree Sparrow were also in residence. Also Robin, Blackbird and Magpie all provided evidence of confirmed breeding on the course.

Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler




Birds List

Blackbird (2)
Blackcap (2)
Blue Tit (4)
Carrion Crow (2)
Chaffinch (5)
Chiffchaff (1)
Dunnock (4)
Garden Warbler (1)
Goldfinch (4)
Great Tit (2)
Greylag Goose (1)
Herring Gull (7)
House Sparrow (5)
Jackdaw (12)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3)
Lesser Redpoll (2)
Magpie (2)
Mallard (1)
Pied Wagtail (1)
Robin (2)
Rook (25)
Skylark (1)
Spotted Flycatcher (1)
Starling (100)
Swallow (1)
Tree Sparrow (4)
Wheatear (3)
Whitethroat (4)
Willow Warbler (1)
Woodpigeon (3)
Wren (2)

Monday 14 May 2012

13th May 2012 – overcast SW3/4

Summary
Arrival at the clubhouse at 0645hrs was greeted by three Swallow hawking around the car park. A few Rabbits encroached onto the periphery of the course from the nearby farmland and the recently planted cherry trees are now in blossom. Great Stitchwort, Red Campion and Bluebell all remain in bloom while the newly formed banking surrounding the stadium hole held a good showing of Buttercups. In addition a rather bizarre looking plant is now to be found around the wet margins of the pond on the 9th fairway. The Western Skunk Cabbage (also sometimes known as Bog Arum) was introduced into cultivation in Britain in 1901 and has escaped to become naturalized in marshy areas; the yellow variety originates from the west coast of North America. The yellow shoots are not actually flowers - they are "spathes", a leaf-like, open ended tube, which has a spike inside. The insignificant flowers are laid out along this spike, which can grow to about a foot long.

Red Campion, Western Skunk Cabbage and Cherry.




A total of 34 species of bird were identified during the undertaking of a core transect survey with a further four species added to the course list which now moves on to 66 species. Summer migrants have continued to arrive on the course with 8 Whitethroat and 4 Blackcap now holding territory in the areas of scrub. Three Wheatear were found feeding along the edge of the 14th fairway and a single Sand Martin headed north over the 6th hole. Both Kestrel and Sparrowhawk hunted in the vicinity of the quarry hole and it is now noticeable that many of the course residents have now become less vocal as they turn their attentions to feeding young. Groups of Jackdaw, Starling and House Sparrow are collecting food from the fairways before flying back to their nest sites in the nearby housing estates while Rooks commute to the rookeries along Abbey Road. A skein of 5 Greylag Geese flighted over, presumably en route to Ormsgill Reservoir.

Wheatear


Birds List

Blackbird (6)
Blackcap (4)
Blue Tit (4)
Carrion Crow (2)
Chaffinch (5)
Coal Tit (1)
Collared Dove (3)
Dunnock (4)
Goldfinch (13)
Great Tit (1)
Greylag Goose (5)
Herring Gull (7)
House Sparrow (5)
Jackdaw (4)
Kestrel (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3)
Lesser Redpoll (5)
Long-tailed Tit (2)
Magpie (4)
Mallard (2)
Pied Wagtail (5)
Robin (1)
Rook (11)
Sand Martin (1)
Skylark (1)
Song Thrush (2)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Starling (100)
Swallow (6)
Wheatear (3)
Whitethroat (8)
Willow Warbler (1)
Woodpigeon (3)
Wren (3)

Monday 23 April 2012

22nd April 2012 – early showers then sunny spells NW2/3

Summary
Arrival at the clubhouse at 0700hrs was greeted by a heavy downpour which fortunately quickly cleared. The delay led to the discovery of a colony of Banded Snail near the car park, this is a polymorphic species which has individuals of notably different appearance living in the same area.

Banded Snails


At least one Roe Deer was still in the vicinity of the 8th hole plantation and a Pygmy Shrew was in the rough beside the 15th tee. Flowering plants that have recently come into bloom on the course include Daisy, Greater Stitchwort and Red Campion along the woodland fringe at the northern edge of the course, Purple Dead-nettle near the clubhouse and Cuckoo Flower (also known as Lady’s Smock) along the margins of the 6th pond.

Cuckoo Flower  and Greater Stitchwort



A total of 34 species of bird were identified during the undertaking of a core transect survey with a further five species added to the course list which now stands at 62 species. Many of the resident species are now turning their attentions to the breeding season and more summer migrants are now beginning to arrive from Africa. A Willow Warbler sang from the 8th plantation and a Swallow hawked in the lee of the wind over the 8th tee. Further Willow Warblers were heard along the edge of the 7th fairway and in the woodland behind the 5th tee where a Blackcap and Chiffchaff also sang. The freshly cut greens attracted several Pied Wagtails and two pairs of Moorhen are now on the course with birds frequenting the 6th and 9th ponds. A Jay was again in the woodland along the northern edge. Two Whimbrel flew east over the course heading to their breeding grounds across the North Sea while three Canada Geese were likely visitants from nearby Ormsgill Reservoir. A pair of Linnet was still prospecting the gorse in the vicinity of the 15th tee and a Kestrel hunted over the 9th tee.

Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Swallow




Birds Species List

Blackbird (8)
Blackcap (1)
Black-headed Gull (1)
Blue Tit (4)
Canada Goose (3)
Carrion Crow (2)
Chaffinch (10)
Chiffchaff (2)
Coal Tit (3)
Collared Dove (2)
Dunnock (3)
Goldcrest (1)
Goldfinch (8)
Great Tit (6)
Greenfinch (4)
Herring Gull (10)
House Sparrow (1)
Jackdaw (2)
Jay (1)
Kestrel (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (30)
Linnet (3)
Magpie (4)
Mallard (1)
Moorhen (3)
Pied Wagtail (5)
Robin (6)
Rook (17)
Starling (5)
Swallow (1)
Whimbrel (2)
Willow Warbler (4)
Woodpigeon (3)
Wren (4)

The moth trap was again set overnight but only attracted a handful of moths with Powdered Quaker the only addition to the list.

Moth Species List

Hebrew Character (6)
Powdered Quaker (1)
Water Carpet (1)


Monday 9 April 2012

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)

Monday 2 April 2012

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

Monday 26 March 2012

26th March 2012 - bright and sunny ESE1

Summary – The day dawned cold and bright but quickly warmed up as the sun rose and a short survey route was undertaken from the clubhouse down to the 8th hole plantation and along the 7th fairway before cutting back along the edge of the 9th fairway, via the pond. The route revealed that the first flora is now starting to emerge with the Daffodils planted around a number or tees in bloom while the Blackthorn and Alder are now in blossom.

Blackthorn blossom and Alder catkins

 




















The team were greeted in the clubhouse car park by a flock of 10 Goldfinch and a pair of Collared Dove and a total of 27 species were then logged including six new additions to the course list. An early arrival saw the dawn chorus in full swing with many of the resident species such as Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren and Dunnock in fine voice as they competed for territories and small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Lesser Redpoll and a solitary Pink-footed Goose were moving overhead. A check of the field adjacent to the 8th fairway produced a large flock of gulls comprising 85 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 16 Herring Gull before we headed across towards the 8th hole plantation. The plantation provided a mixed flock of 20 Redwing and two Fieldfare that were disturbed by the green keeper on his rounds along with two Long-tailed Tit and three Goldcrest before a Chiffchaff burst into song. Heading back via the pond on the 9th fairway a pair of Mallard circled several times before continuing north while Blue, Great and Coal Tit were all prospecting the holes in the sandstone walls on the 9th tee for potential nesting sites. The final species of the day was a Lapwing that drifted over the car park perhaps heading for breeding grounds along Rakesmoor Lane.

Lapwing and Pink-footed Goose




Bird Species List
Blackbird 4
Blue Tit 3
Carrion Crow 2
Chaffinch 5
Chiffchaff 1
Coal Tit 1
Collared Dove 2
Dunnock 2
Fieldfare
Goldcrest 3
Goldfinch 10
Great Tit 2
Herring Gull 16
Lapwing 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 85
Lesser Redpoll 4
Long-tailed Tit 2
Magpie 6
Mallard 2
Meadow Pipit 10
Pied Wagtail 1
Pink-footed Goose 1
Redwing 20
Reed Bunting 1
Robin 3
Woodpigeon 2
Wren 2

The primary reason for the visit was to check the moth trap that had been set overnight for the first early emerging species and these revealed 19 moths of seven species. Hebrew Character and Small Quaker were the dominant species but Common Quaker (2), Clouded Drab (2), Early Grey (2), Red Chestnut (1) and Twin-spotted Quaker (1) were also logged.

Common Quaker, Hebrew Character and Twin-spotted Quaker




Monday 19 March 2012

18th March 2012 - bright and sunny/calm with heavy early morning dew

Summary – The day dawned bright and sunny and following earlier visits to sections of the course the first transect route was undertaken. A transect is a route that is followed on a regular basis and allows direct comparison of observations between visits, the route begins at the 5th tee and then follows the track that runs behind the 4th and 11th greens, across the 13th fairway and along the edge of the 14th fairway to the 15th tee before cutting across the 3rd to the quarry. The route then heads down through the 8th hole plantation to the pond on the 9th fairway before cutting across the 7th fairway to view the pond on the 6th and then back along the edge of the 5th fairway back to the start.

A total of 26 species were logged including nine additions to the course list and it was quickly noticeable that spring was in the air. Many of the resident species such as Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren and Dunnock in fine voice as they competed for territories while Tree Sparrow, Siskin, Meadow Pipit, Collared Dove and Jackdaw were all new additions as they passed overhead. The plantation near the 8th hole proved productive holding a good number of Chaffinches while Coal Tit and Goldcrest, both new for the course, were also seen here. The pond on the 6th fairway provided a territorial Reed Bunting while a group of gulls loafing in the 11th fairway included a few Lesser Black-backed Gull that were newly arrived from their wintering grounds in Spain and Portugal. These birds nest with Herring Gulls on the roofs of the nearby industrial estate and will now remain with us until after the breeding season.

Coal Tit


Goldcrest


Siskin


Species List
Blackbird 3
Blue Tit 2
Carrion Crow 4
Chaffinch 11
Coal Tit 2
Collared Dove 2
Dunnock 1
Goldcrest 3
Goldfinch 2
Great Tit 5
Greenfinch 2
Herring Gull 21
Jackdaw 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 6
Long-tailed Tit 5
Magpie 5
Meadow Pipit 1
Pied Wagtail 1
Reed Bunting 1
Robin 4
Siskin 3
Song Thrush 1
Starling 2
Tree Sparrow 1
Woodpigeon 11
Wren 3

Monday 13 February 2012

8th February 2012 - early frost/sunny spells SE3

Summary – the morning dawned to a hard frost with the ground frozen underfoot and saw a second visit to the northern edge of the reserve. The first of the nest boxes sponsored by Barrow Golf Club members were installed in suitable locations in the copse behind the 4th and 11th greens with a further two located near the 5th tee. Woodland birds were again to the fore though a Grey Wagtail feeding around the frozen pools on the track provided the highlight of the day. The continued cold weather had seen the Fieldfare flock continue to build with 200 birds found feeding avidly in the field behind the 13th green.

Copse behind 4th and 11th greens

The nest boxes erected were of a variety of styles the open fronted box will hopefully attracted species such as Robin and Spotted Flycatcher while the hole style box is to attract Blue Tit and Great Tit and perhaps other hole nesting species.



Species List
Blackbird 2
Blue Tit 10
Carrion Crow 2
Chaffinch 6
Common Gull 1
Dunnock 1
Fieldfare 200
Great Tit 4
Greenfinch 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Herring Gull 2
Jay 1
Magpie 4
Mistle Thrush 1
Pied Wagtail 1
Robin 1
Starling 2
Wren 1
Woodpigeon 3

5th February 2012 - bright and frosty/calm

Summary – An early afternoon visit in cold but sunny conditions to the northern periphery of the course revealed the presence of an area of natural indigenous woodland. This is the remnants of the southern edge of Sowerby Woods and was preserved to lessen the visual impact from the course when a large area of woodland was bulldozed to make way for the adjacent industrial estate. Consequently this buffer zone holds the oldest trees to be found within the course boundaries and provides suitable habitat for a good selection of traditional woodland species with Long-tailed Tit, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker amongst the species seen. A charm of seven Goldfinches fed on recently planted alder and in addition the recent snow and frost had induced some cold weather movement with small numbers of Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush seen in the trees beside the 13th fairway while the field bordering the 14th fairway held 100 Fieldfare.

The indigenous woodland along the northern boundary

Species List
Blackbird 2
Blue Tit 4
Carrion Crow 2
Chaffinch 3
Fieldfare 110
Goldfinch 7
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Great Tit 2
Greenfinch 1
Herring Gull 6
Jay 1
Kestrel 1
Long-tailed Tit 6
Magpie 7
Mistle Thrush 3
Oystercatcher 1
Robin 2
Woodpigeon 2
Wren 1

13th January 2012 – early frost then bright and sunny/calm

Summary – after several false starts the weather finally relented to allow the first exploratory visit to the course with the area around the clubhouse and the 17th and 18th holes the main focus of attention. Although the fairways held a few species and the hedgerow bordering Rakesmoor Lane provided the most diversity the highlights involved a Peregrine and Buzzard that soared over the course – both these are good local records.

Peregrine


 
Species List
Black-headed Gull 40
Blue Tit 5
Buzzard 1
Carrion Crow 2
Common Gull 30
Dunnock 1
Herring Gull 10
House Sparrow 3
Magpie 2
Peregrine 1
Robin 1