Wildlife at Withymead Nature Reserve
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Wildlife Update
2007 Survey
A survey was carried out by the Reading & District Natural History Society on the 4th August, 2007 and these were their findings at Withymead.
- Moths - over 52 species were found at the reserve
- Micro Moths - 12 species were found
- Butterflies - 11 different species
- Dragonflies - 8 species
- Plants - In excess of 150 different flowers/plants
Other animal news
- Grass Snake - Considering the amount of water covering the reserve after the stormy weather, we still have many, and this year we have seen them with their young.
- Badgers continue to flourish with many new setts being found.
Birds
Breeding BirdsBlue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Moorhen, Coot, Swan, Sedge Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Chiff Chaff, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Red Kite, Bullfinch, Song Thrush - these are just a few species that we have been able to observe, with their young. |
| Kingfishers were spotted on a nearby fence on several occasions when the grounds were flooded, as were coot, moorhen and a swan who brought their young almost to the house, feeding under the bird table. |
Bird Ringing
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Under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology bird-ringing using mist nets is carried out all year round on the reserve. Besides the breeding birds there are migrants which come through in the autumn, and winter visitors which stay for the cold months. A Great Spotted Woodpecker ringed by the Warden is shown left (above) and winter visitors redpoll and brambling (left and right below). The two latter came in flocks of 10 to 20 in winter 2007/8. |
Migrants have included redstart (right, above) and nightingale ( right, below) |
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This page last updated January 23rd 2008 by emg