Nature notes - February 2024

Sickleholme Nature Notes

Despite February producing another month of restrictive wet weather, there were a few more signs that Spring is just around the corner. Hazel catkins were well in evidence and the first Lesser Celandines appeared to add a little bit of colour to the course. There was also an increase in early birdsong with our Wrens being particularly obvious as the song is amazingly loud for such a small bird and with a consistently repeated series of metallic ringing notes and trills. This month’s photo image was taken in early October but is a pleasing one, I think.

Another indicator, is brighter looking birds. Although the plumage colours of some birds, such as Blackbirds, are relatively constant, many others change plumage via feather moult, to look their best for the breeding season. Even the bill colour changes in some species. A recent visitor to the clubhouse feeders was a male Bullfinch. They don’t come much brighter than that.

I try to resolve any queries from members if I can, and an interesting question was about the lack of Skylarks singing over the course at times when they are evident elsewhere. Indeed, if you visit areas such as Longstone Moor/Edge in the next few months then there will frequently be multiple Skylarks airborne in competitive song. Skylarks nest on the ground, however, favouring grass just long enough to hide the nest. That sort of habitat at Sickleholme would be in areas regularly disturbed by golfers and equipment so the larks seek somewhere quieter.

Matt responded to last month’s reference to the possibility of frogs in the practice ground pond by reporting the sightings of three during maintenance work. So it seems that we do have a population, which is encouraging. That small area of water can be very productive in summer with a wider variety of insects than one might imagine. One of my favourites is the pretty Brown China-mark moth which lays its eggs on the vegetation, and which will be one of my photographic targets this year.

Keep your records coming in, please.

Bryan Barnacle