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