February has been an odd month weather wise, with snow and sunshine appearing throughout the month! Temperatures seem to be on the rise though and giving us a sneak peek into Spring. All around the reserve you can see lots of bird activity, with the tits scouting out the bird boxes for nest sites and I have also started hearing the Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming on the trees within the reserve to establish their territories. Green Woodpeckers too seem to be more active, calling frequently to each other, especially when the sun is out.
In light of this increase in bird activity, this month saw Parndon Wood Nature Reserve running the build a bird box event and make your own fat balls before and during the February half term. These were a huge success, with lots of visitors walking home with fabulously decorated houses to pop in their gardens (don't forget to varnish them before you pop them up!). We even had a few gifted to us for the reserve, which we shall pop into a suitable places. Fingers crossed they all have new inhabitants before not too long! We have also taken on board a special bird house ourselves, complete with a camera! Hopefully we will get this up and running in the visitor center ASAP to see some of the reserves birds making a home inside!
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| One of the painted houses donated to the reserve. |
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| Our new bird house, complete with camera! |
The snow which fell at the start of the month proved a fantastic way for visitors to see the tracks of some of the animals living within the reserve. Squirrel, fox, rabbit, mouse, deer and crow were just some of the prints identified by visitors along the trail. I love seeing the prints in the snow as it really allows you to imagine the animals as they go about their business and shows visitors’ sights they may otherwise miss.
We also had some very interesting visitors to the reserve, including a kite and a rough legged buzzard, who stopped over for a spot of lunch! Other species spotted this month include a tree creeper, who has been spotted several times on the Oaks surrounding the center, sparrowhawks and kestrels by the centre and in the reserve, Green Woodpeckers by the outdoor theatre and Great spotted woodpeckers on the feeders around the reserve and also drumming on numerous trees too!
