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Withnell Fold

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 6:50 pm
by Neil Southworth
Needless to say the flashes were dry, so the only bird activity was of four or so Lapwing on a tilled field and about 15 Canada Geese in the meadows. Small birds included 3 or 4 Reed Buntings and a Sedge Warbler in the marshy areas, and a couple of Skylark singing over the fields. Along the canal, the flock of hybrid geese numbered 13 plus 6 goslings. Two Buzzard were seen over separate territories. Three Swallow and three House Martins were seen around the mill area.
On the reserve, the highlight was a Tawny Owl flying through. Other sightings included Kingfisher, Jay, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher.
Flora included what I took to be a patch of Touch-me-not Balsam in the north part of the reserve, but the book gives the flowering period as July-Sept. Any ideas anybody? Other flora included Jack-by-the-hedge, Greater Stitchwort, purple vetch sp., Red Campion, Bluebell, Forget-me-not, Pignut, Dandelion, Daisy, Buttercup