Date: 17th August 2020
Time: from 8:30 p.m.
Weather: dry, cloudy, dark, 18°C
This was my first evening visit since 6th August 2020.
Time: from 8:30 p.m.
Weather: dry, cloudy, dark, 18°C
This was my first evening visit since 6th August 2020.
When I
arrived at the site at 8:30 p.m., there was a lot of loud noise coming from a small
group of people which did not augur well for watching Badgers which
usually emerge quite close by.
I decided to
wait to see if they would move on. As I did so, I saw a Red Fox stretched
out and motionless on the grassy strip that runs parallel
to Church Hill down to St. Nicholas Lane. It remained motionless for a few
minutes and, fearing the worst, I walked down to the area for a closer look. As
I approached, it stood up, stared back at me for a few seconds and then ran off
in to cover. This particular Red Fox, which I was unable to identify as
an adult or one of the cubs, was clearly just indulging in some rest and
relaxation 😀.
At
9 p.m., whilst watching another area where I have seen a Badger, I heard
the distinctive “geckering” of Red Foxes behind me and I also saw a bat
species briefly circling around the church car park which I assume was one of
the Pipistrelle species.
At
9:20 p.m., the people making a noise left the area and walked off down Church
Hill. I quickly returned to my usual location where I watch the Badgers
and scattered some food as normal.
Given
the disturbance in the area that had been going on from at least 8:30 p.m. when
I arrived, I expected a “no show” given how wary Badgers are of humans. Amazingly,
within 5 minutes a Badger appeared, emerging from the usual position in
the hedgerow. However, it was clearly very nervous and constantly sniffed the
air. Not surprisingly, after only about a minute, it turned round and returned
in to the hedge.
Whilst
watching out for the return of a more confident Badger (it didn’t
happen), I again heard the loud “geckering” of Red Foxes for a few
minutes and I guessed that this was coming from around the church car park
area.
With
regard to birds, I only heard 2 Robins briefly singing and a Blackbird
alarm calling.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Badger
Red Fox
Pipistrelle sp.
Robin
Blackbird
Site totals to date
Birds = 48
Mammals = 6
Butterflies = 20
Dragonflies and damselflies = 6
Reptiles = 1
Amphibians = 0
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
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