DOWN TO EARTH in The City

Summer 2014 A mixed bag of Summer weather this year but good for plants, both wild and cultivated I suspect, although the mean temperature might be slightly lower than previous years, we'll see. Bird Box scheme Still awaiting the bird box scheme report for Centenary Woods, but a little bird told me the uptake was slightly better than last year, once again, we'll see. By comparison, yon little bird also said the Holders Woods, (more mature woodland), box uptake was 80-100%, TBC. Bird ringing This year's ringing sessions are due to begin again in September/October, looking forward to those. Trees and plants from Nature Improvement Area (NIA) project Many of the NIA trees planted last Winter are in leaf with no signs of failures, likewise, all the Woodland Trust 'nursery' trees seem to have flourished and will be planted out during Autumn/Winter, the wildflower planting successes will not be determined until next Spring. Centenary Woodland origin...

Blue Tit's egg Hogweed LORDS AND LADIES LEAPING

waters from the woodland, bunded and pooled The woodland slopes westwards towards the River Rea, hence the west of the site is wet for most of the year . Developing new habitats The emerging waters have been pooled to develop shallow open-water scrapes gathering waters from woodland springs 1989 Just a reminder of the woodland origin; 25 years ago the site was unwanted allotment land, and previous to this, open farmland. Alder Buckthorn The lower west side retains the spring waters to form wet woodland and, at times, impassible boggy paths. These conditions suit plants such as Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). The wood of Alder Buckthorn is used for making gunpowder - is this still made? Not sure if the berries have the same purgative properties as those of Buckthorn (Rhamnus cartharticus), the specific name referring to this. Allan's corded paths are most useful, constructed with coppiced hazel from the woodland. ...

possibly a cat skull; not to scale with magazine image backdrop,  for that would be  a frightening prospect for sure

Dan checking boxes at Centenary Woods The Birmingham University nesting box scheme is being monitored by Dan and Jon for the second year, and while few boxes were occupied last year, probably because of late installation, indications so far suggest greater occupancy, although far from 100% take up. Dan will provide further details as they arise. Birds seen in and around Centenary Wood since Winter 2013 - Sparrowhawk Kestrel Merlin Wood pigeon Tawny Owl Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Wren Dunnock Song Thrush Redwing Blackbird Blackcap Chiffchaff Goldcrest Great Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Long Tailed Tit Nuthatch Tree Creeper Magpie Jay C Crow Raven (flying over, between CHP and Holders Woods) Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Bullfinch http://www.cannonhillpeoplespark.net/

The hedgerow leading to Centenary Woods, laid in 2010 and flourishing with Alder Buckthorn, providing a food plant for the Brimstone Butterfly Guelder Rose (Viburnam opulus) planted in the woods 2011 Guelder Rose flowers just developing Alder The old oak (around 250 years old) A wet flush, of which there are many. Herb Bennet or Wood Avens Japanese knotweed (uprooted) Cow parsley Wild garlic The southern edge of the woods bordering Moor Green Allotments South of the woods A tree nursery, planted winter 2013-14 with trees from the Woodland Trust including, Rowan, Elder, Dog Rose and Hazel One of the veteran Apple trees A dead Apple tree; many of the Apple trees require pruning Woodland thinned during December 2013 Dead hedges resulting from the brash arisings from tree felling Bluebells in the woods, although they are Spanish and will be eradicated as part of the management . English Bluebells w...

Brimstone butterfly spotted on 14 April 2014 by Ranger Warden Allan Watkins Dunnocks too were most active at this location on the 14th and are probably nesting nearby Chiffchaff are busy staking their territory with distinctive calls at the edge of Centenary Wood, often making excursion to the hinterland as they forage for early grubs and other morsels. This image depicts a light phase generally found in southern breeds and in my experience resident warblers  are not quite as yellow overall. There is variation of course. This is the best time to locate Chiffchaff as they call from prominent positions blah blah - you can find all this in a book.