This evening, at 9.50pm, the sun will reach its most northerly point, the Tropic of Cancer. That means that today will be the longest day of the year and tonight will be its shortest night. Officially, summer has begun.
Continue readingThere is a problem and we doubt that we will be able to post today. Our apologies.
An immature green nettle weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus). We know it is immature because its covering of beautiful metallic green scales is intact; as the weevil ages, these colourful scales rub off and will not be replaced. The mature beetle is a much less dramatic dark green.
Near Fiveways, there is a male song thrush that begins to sing in January. He sits high up in his territory, often on the topmost branch of a tree, and once he gets going you can hear him all over the reserve.
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The snowdrops are coming up, pushing pale green shoots up through the mud and leaf mould. They look fragile and delicate but they are driven by powerful forces triggered by the lengthening days and even the frost we are promised next week won’t slow them down.
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This year, 2023, was a good year for our species lists, particularly the invertebrates list.
Continue reading “The year’s finds”
Tonight is the longest night of the year. It will begin when the sun sets at one minute past four o’clock this afternoon and it will end at 08:11 tomorrow morning. The winter solstice, the exact moment at which the north pole is tilted as far away from the sun as it will go this year, will be at 03:27 in the morning. Tomorrow will be the shortest day.
Continue reading “Solstice”
Treecreepers (Certhia familiaris) are shy, quiet, and rarely seen. We know they visit the reserve to feed and we hope they are long term residents that will nest here in the spring.
Read on:There is problem with the comments page. WordPress has updated something and nothing is working as it should. As it stands, your comment will be posted anonymously but if you sign off with your name, I will be able to put it right somewhere in the editorial suite.
WordPress engineers are on the case.
NEW BRIDGE
Work will begin today (Monday 3rd July) to replace the bridge from Lambrok Close into Lambrok Meadow. It may take several days to complete. Please use the main entrance while the work is in progress. Thank you
Spindle ermine moth caterpillars (Yponomeuta cagnagella) found, photographed and videoed yesterday in the reserve by Sarah Gould. Thanks Sarah.
June’s full moon happened at 04:41 this morning, the instant when the waxing moon ended and waning began.
Continue reading “Full moon”
We don’t often see ducks on our big pond. These are male mallards perhaps pausing in the reserve on their way to wider waters on either the Avon or the Biss.
Pictures by Cheryl Cronnie
Yesterday’s sunshine brought out bright yellow brimstone butterflies, fluttering along the reserve’s hedges.
Continue reading “Brimstone”
Tonight’s full moon will be the last of the winter season, the last full moon before the spring equinox. It is called the Worm Moon because it marks the beginning of spring, when the soil warms enough for growth to begin and the earthworms come back to the surface.
Searching for moon in our picture gallery…
Wednesday’s work party was treated an unusual exhibition of needle-like hoar frost.
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The first flowers, every year, are the hazel catkins in the copse next to the picnic place. Such a welcome sight.
Header image by DKG
No post today because there is a technical hitch that I don’t seem to be able to fix. Sorry.
It’s cold! Wrap up warm and stay safe.
It’s not just the snowdrops that are waking up in the reserve’s woodland. Our native daffodils and bluebells are stirring, too.
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Here’s a thing: a brisk walk in the reserve will help to increase your circulation, bringing more blood and oxygen to your brain and muscles, and help to offset hangover symptoms like headaches and achy muscles. Our best wishes for 2023 and our thanks for all you support.
Header image taken in the reserve by Simon Knight
A message from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service:
“The tragic events in Solihull are an awful reminder of the dangers of going on to frozen ponds, lakes, canals etc. PLEASE keep children and dogs away from these areas as the ice may be incredibly brittle. Make sure you know what to do should the worst happen. Here is a link a page on our website called FROZEN WATER DANGERS“
The tragic death of three children in Solihull, has made us think of the dangers of frozen stretches of water in the reserve. Please be careful, keep off the ice, and remember that the new scrape in Lambrok Meadow is more than a metre deep at its centre.
Joan Jones (Chairman FoSCP)
by David Feather
On 2 November an event was held in Glasgow to review the benefits of walking in nature.
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Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 