Loud complaint!

Walking through Brook Wood, I paused for a few moments, then was startled by a sudden loud chattering behind me. Turning, I realised a (probably young) buzzard had landed in a low tree without seeing me, only 15 yards behind me! Moreover, it was being mobbed furiously by a very angry sparrowhawk, which obligingly perched in view so that I could identify it. Presumably the hawk had young nearby; the noise continued for a minute or two as the combatants moved away. Any other sightings?  - George

PS I apologise that owing to work, holiday and illness I have not led any guided walks recently. The next possible date for me is Saturday August 20th; please email me at the address of this blog if you are interested in a walk on that date; I will reply during the week before that.

Butterfly bonanza

Has everyone else been as busy? Anyway, a summer survey of the Town Fields meadow found an excellent eight species of butterflies. The most common, Gatekeepers, reached 39 (one more than last year). Others were: Large White, 6; Speckled Wood and Green-veined White, 3 each; Small White and Peacock, 2 each; Meadow Brown, 1; and nicest of all, my favourite, a Small Copper. Also quite a few 7-spot Ladybirds  - George 

Brook Wood Family Event Saturday 2nd July

What a fantastic day! Lovely sunny weather, we were glad of the shade by later in the morning...

We had brought litter picking equipment but apart from some picnic leftovers from the previous night there was very little rubbish to be found...

As usual one of the biggest attractions was hammering! Dick and this group of young people created a new bug hotel in the woods, some guests were seen booking in even before it was finished!!

Whilst the hunt for minibeasts in the long grass continued throughout the morning...

 And occasionally the prize was caught for a few seconds before making its escape!

Thanks to everyone involved, and keep looking at the blog for further dates of events in and around Brook Wood.

Family event 2nd July

Don't miss our next event! Details on right.

ECO Family Fun Day

A great time was had by all...

with lots of new homes for us to hang in the woods...

and lots of interested new families keen to explore Brook Wood!

Ugh! What are they?

In the Mill Hill valley, there are lots of nettles to sting you. But some things eat nettles! What are these?

 They are the spiky black caterpillars probably of the Peacock butterfly - like the ones the Blackbird at the top is taking to her chicks - so we need them to give beauty from ugliness!  - George

New bird!

A new bird (so far as recent records go) for the Sandbach Wildlife Corridor is singing at Sandbach Park pond! It is a garden warbler, found by members of the Sandbach A Rocha Group. For more details, see link to the Sandbach Environment Trail blog part way down column on right (also picture of a baby nuthatch there).  Note walk on Jun 5th (details on right) if you fancy watching a new bird? - George