2014 Report

White Admirals (Trevor Simmonds)

1) THE YEAR IN RAVENSROOST

Bad weather during the first two months of the year meant that a couple of the Wednesday Team's weekly management sessions were cancelled - though one of them was spent on tool maintenance in the shelter of the barn at Avis Meadow. Otherwise the Eastern end of the bridleway hedge was completed so that now the whole bridleway within Ravensroost Wood has been hedged on both sides. On other sessions during the season a rideside was coppiced in section H, and coppicing was done in the 8-year coppice in section V. Vandalism briefly reared its head again and the fence had to be repaired where it had been deliberately breached on one occasion, then on the last session of the winter a walker-only gateway was made here. Finally the team enjoyed end of season lunch at the Red Lion, Cricklade.

Some of the team - Maurice, Geoff, Leanne, Jane, Robin, John Durell, Chrissy, with John Smith and Michael behind 26th February 2014 (Leanne Newton)

On 21st January Simon Tucker carried out his first of 20 ringing sessions in the year - his report is below. On 8th March his session was also a Swindon Wildlife Group public event with 20 adults and 8 children turning out - Simon commented: "I really enjoyed the interaction with the group - they were good fun and I loved the level of interest." Simon also held a SWG ringing event in the meadows on 16th August - the event being followed by a butterfly walk led by RG. A total of 19 adults and 2 children attended. "The meadow and pond gave a nicely different spread of species. The numbers were not as high as usual, which was due to a combination of bright sunshine and a bit of a breeze making the nets rather more visible than would be perfect, but the spread of species was certainly appreciated by the attendees."

On 16th February the annual Brown Hairstreak egg search was carried out, with disappointing results - just 28 eggs were found, only about a third of those found the previous year, albeit with half the number of searchers. It is likely that the main reason was the poor summer in 2012. However a search held early in the second winter period, 13th December, with 7 searchers, found 73 eggs, so the butterfly obviously had a better year in 2014.

The annual late winter bird survey was done on 22nd February - results below.

The weekly butterfly transect and bird territory survey was commenced on 2nd April - the transect is walked weekly until the end of September, while the territory survey finishes at the end of June when most birds stop regular territorial song. I would like to thank the members of the team who helped with this, especially Jane Deacon who took over leading when I was away. Results of both below.

Many photographs were taken of wildlife in the wood, a good proportion by team members Trevor Simmonds and Leanne Newton; others are sent to me by many people who visit the reserve, it has to be said, mainly in the main butterfly season which is rather short - June - early September. These graced the Ravensroost blog which I maintain - there is a link to it from the WWT website, and the address is https://sites.google.com/site/ravensroostwood/

On 3rd September Ellie and Matt led the team in clearing the rideside vegetation north of the bridleway.

On 13th September MarcTaylor held another Mothing event on behalf of the SWG - unfortunately only 4 people attended this time due to the fact that the SWG committee missed getting the event into the "What's On?" bulletin. However the richness of the site was demonstrated again with more than 25 species including Pale Eggars, new to the reserve.

On 1st October the Team's weekly management at the reserve commenced again with clearing three woodland ponds, and starting coppicing in section X. On 12th November the Avis Barn Owl box was checked and cleaned out - obviously from the lack of pellets it's been some time since owls have used the box, certainly they haven't bred. The leaking barn roof has made it very wet and the abundance of twigs show that the Stock Doves have taken over. Also on 12th November a start was made on repairing the hedge along the Bridleway, work on this alternating with coppicing for the rest of the year, material cut during the latter activity serving to provide material for the hedge repairs.

On 6th December the early winter bird survey was carried out - results below.

The Well-being Team spent many sessions coppicing during both winter periods, the Wiltshire Wildlife Conservation Volunteers concentrated on 25 year rotation coppicing, and Steve Brudenell's Thursday team spent the second winter period creating dormouse-friendly scallops along the north ride, these, together with the work we've done clearing round the ponds, has greatly opened up the habitat along the ride, enhancing it for plants and insects too.

I would like to thank the following, all who took part in management at Ravensroost Wood during the year: Geoff Whittle (Team leader), Maurice Chandler, Jane Deacon,John Durell, Sally Hansford, Trevor Simmonds, Hugh Slater, Chrissy Smith, John Smith, Chris Charles, Colin Munden, Leanne Newton, Rebecca Stratton & Michael Zenderowski, also the other teams who work regularly or occasionally in the wood.

Thanks to the above mentioned and also to the following whose surveying, photos and records contributed to the blog and to this report: Richard Aisbitt, Maurice Avent, Andrew Denley, Iain Greer, Ellie Jones, Tim Kaye, Jon Mercer, Bob Philpott, Martin Savage, Peter Sketch, Marc Taylor & Simon Tucker.

Robin Griffiths

Warden

2) BIRDS

Willow Warbler (Leanne Newton)

a) Late Winter Bird Survey 22nd February 2014 (31st Jan 2012 and 4th February 2013 figures in brackets): Mallard 0 (0,4), Pheasant 4 (2,2), Buzzard 2 (3,1), Sparrowhawk 0(1, 2), Lapwing pr. in situe!, Snipe 1 flushed from meadow pond, Stock Dove N/A (2,4), Wood Pigeon c40 (c46, 3), Green Woodpecker 0 (2,0), Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 (3,7) including drummer in all three years, Pied Wagtail pr. in meadow, Robin 20 (3,8) singing, Song Thrush 2 (2,2), Redwing c50 (28,c70), Mistle Thrush 3 (0,2) singing, Fieldfare 0 (22,c90), Blackbird 12 (10,7), Goldcrest 0 (1,3), Wren 7 (4,6) singing, Great Tit 4 (6,11) singing, Coal Tit 6 (4,6) singing, Blue Tit 22 (28,22) singing, Marsh Tit 0 (8,5), Long-tailed Tit 4 (c18,8), Nuthatch 2 (7,4) singing, Treecreeper 2 (2,2) singing, Magpie 2 (1,3), Jay 11 (2,8), Raven 0 (0,1), Jackdaw 8 (10,9), Rook ? (26,4), Crow 4 (1,12), Starling 1 (9,32), House Sparrow N/A (6,0), Chaffinch 8 (12,7) singing, Goldfinch 0 (2,0), Siskin 0 (0,2), Greenfinch 0 (1,0), Bullfinch 1 (1,3) (RG,GW,JaneD, JohnD)

b) Early Winter Bird Survey 6th December 2014 (2011,2012 & 2013 early winter survey results in brackets): Buzzard 1 (3,0,1), Wood Pigeon 3 (55,20,c500), Stock Dove 1 Avis barn (5,2,0), Great Spotted Woodpecker 1(2,3,2), Wren 6 song + 2 in meadow (5,5,7 song +2 in meadow), Dunnock 1, (0,2 Avis meadow,1 in meadow ), Robin 10 (10,9,9 song), Blackbird 12 + 1 in meadow (14,13,13 + 1 meadow ), Song Thrush 1 (1,0,2), Redwing 5 +5 meadow (32,2), Mistle Thrush 1 (1,1,1 + c20 in meadow, song heard), Fieldfare 1 meadow (3,14,4 + 2 meadow), Goldcrest 5 (3,3,6), Long-tailed Tit 15+ (11+,9,1), Blue Tit 6 (5,5,5), Great Tit 4 + 1 meadow (8,5,6 + 1 meadow), Coal Tit 2(4,7,6), Marsh Tit 2 (6,3,3), Nuthatch 4 (5,1,4), Treecreeper 1 (0,1,0), Jay 8 (8,3,6), Magpie 1 (2,4,1 + 2 meadow), Jackdaw 4 (c7, nc, 2+), Rook 5 (nc,nc,1), Carrion Crow 2 (6,nc,4), Starling c60 meadow (0,5,0,), Chaffinch 3 + 1 meadow (10,4,5 + 1 meadow), Linnet 1 (1,0,0), Greenfinch 1 meadow (1,0,1+), Goldfinch 3 (0,2, 4 + 5 meadow), Bullfinch 8 (3,5,3 + 2 meadow)

Not seen this time: Pheasant (12, 1,1), Sparrowhawk (0,0,1),Collared Dove (0,0,1 ), Green Woodpecker (1,1,0), Meadow Pipit (0,0,2), Pied Wagtail (3,0,0) Raven (0,2,0), House Sparrow (0,0,2 at house), Siskin (1,1,0), Lesser Redpoll (8,0, 2 + 4 meadow feeding on thistle seeds) (RG.JaneD)

c) Apr - June Bird Territory estimates in the wood, plus breeding evidence if any (likely to be minima for most species, and only estimated for area covered by the butterfly transect and its surrounds – perhaps about one third of the wood only.)

NB. Figure is for pairs or territories not individuals.

These results are from a total of 12 full bird counts carried out between 2nd April and 19th June 2014, plus various extra observations on other dates of rarer species not counting towards the territory estimate. Each of the full bird counts involved mapping all contacts with birds in the vicinity of the butterfly transect then estimating the number of territories from each visit and making an overall estimate from the set at the end of the season (Not enough birdsong after late June for worthwhile counting). For Simon Tucker's results see his summary.

(Fourth season - 2012 and 2013 results in brackets)

Green = probably or definitely up from 2013,, black = no change or not known, red = probably or definitely down from 2013

2 Pheasant 1 last year, none 2012

- Sparrowhawk Only one contact early in the season, definitely bred in 2011 only

1 Buzzard Similar to previous years

3 Wood Pigeon 1-3 in 2013, not recorded in 2012(?)

Tawny Owl Regularly heard calling in daytime - 6th Aug, 2,15th Oct., 5th Nov. About 4 calling at night, 13th Sept.

1 Cuckoo One calling in the 8-year rotation coppiced area on 31st May and again on 11th June - the first such records, though silent birds have been seen in previous seasons.

?1 Green Woodpecker Two sightings early in the season. Definitely held territory in 2013, only one sighting 2012

1- 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker Same as 2013, possibly 3 in 2012. Drumming as early as 8th January this year.

1 Mistle Thrush Same as 2013, only a "possible breeder" in 2012

3 Song Thrush Very similar status to last year, probably up on 2012

7 - 9 Blackbird Hard to estimate but on balance probably slightly more pairs than last year (6)

10 Robin Definitely up on previous years when 7 - 9 estimated (In double figures on 5 occasions this year)

6 Blackcap 3 - 6 last year, 5 - 7 in 2012. First heard 30th March.

3 - 4 Garden Warbler 2-3 last year, 2-4 in 2012. Coppice state probably determines numbers of this species and Willow Warbler.

10 Chiffchaff 7 - 9 last year, 9 - 10 in 2012. First heard 16th March.

2 Willow Warbler Same as 2013, 3 - 5 in 2012, even more in 2011. Presumably will increase next year with maturing coppice.

?1 Goldcrest Only 2 contacts - 1 last year and 2 in 2012.

1-2 Marsh Tit One last year, 2 in 2012. This year heard singing on 16th Feb. & 2nd April and family of three seen 31st May, with a calling bird in a separate area. 2, 10th Dec one with one of Simon's pink rings.

9 Blue Tit 5-8 estimated last year - this year a pair used the nest box beside the Newt Pond.

3 Great Tit 2 - 4 estimated last year so no change for the third year in a row.

2 Coal Tit 2-3 estimated last year, little change as for Great Tit.

1 Long-tailed Tit 2 estimated for the last two years

2 Nuthatch Same as last year, but 3-4 estimated in 2012.

2 Treecreeper Although only one visit produced birds - on 24th April three were singing, two of them obviously in competition with each other. A very inconspicuous bird during surveys so I am happy to estimate 2 pairs this year.

9 Wren A very obvious increase from last year - when only 4-7 were estimated, doubtless due to the much milder winter this time.

2 Jackdaw 2+ estimated last year.

1? Raven As last year noisy in late winter - by April much less conspicuous, just birds seen on 2nd. Presume breeds either on or near reserve.

2 Carrion Crow Same as last year, young seen from 24th April.

0 Magpie None this year - a pair estimated last year.

1 Jay 1-2 last year, 2-3 in 2012.

3 Chaffinch 3-4 last year, and seems to be on the decline - 8 estimated in 2011.

- Greenfinch None since 2012

1 Bullfinch As last year - none previously.

ALSO SEEN

Grey Heron 2 over the wood, 19th Feb.

Woodcock Flushed 29th Jan., 5th Nov.

Skylark Sometimes flies over the wood in song (from the meadows).

Grey Wagtail 1, 29th Oct., first for reserve

Fieldfare 2, 26th April - very late indeed (Martin Savage)

Spotted Flycatcher A probable, 21st June, family group, 20th Aug.

Starling One on 31st May only - presumed former breeder in the wood

Siskin Heard over the wood 26th Feb. and trapped & ringed 8th March

Lesser Redpoll One singing on first day of the survey, 2nd April. A possible future breeder. 8, 15th Oct., also present 22nd Oct., 12th Nov., 17th Dec.

Outside wood (ie. surrounding meadows):

1 Mallard Pair present in April, then duck found dead with broken eggshell nearby on 30th April

Cormorant In flight over on 15th May

Red Kite 1, 5th March

1 Lapwing As in previous seasons a pair tried to nest on one of the meadows, but no young seen - adults from 16th Feb to 16th April, only.

Swallow 8, 8th Oct., Avis Meadows

Meadow Pipit c35 migrants were present on 17th Sept.

2 Common Whitethroat 2 pairs present as last year.

2 Lesser Whitethroat Only one pair in previous two years.

Yellowhammer 1 singing, 24th July

1 Reed Bunting Pair bred by the meadow ponds, first confirmed breeding

Reed Bunting (Trevor Simmonds)

Ringing summary 2014 - Simon Tucker

Lesser Redpoll (Simon Tucker

New (Retrapped)

Sparrowhawk 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker 3(1); Nuthatch 7(7); Treecreeper 8(3); Swallow 2; Jay 2; Blue Tit 84(101); Great Tit 49(36); Coal Tit 7(20); Marsh Tit 4(10); Long-tailed Tit 23(36); Meadow Pipit 1; Wren 26(14); Dunnock 9; Robin 51(31); Blackbird 25(12); Song Thrush 13; Redwing 30; Reed Warbler 1; Blackcap 49(11); Garden Warbler 4(1); Whitethroat 9; Lesser Whitethroat 3; Chiffchaff 54(10); Willow Warbler 10; Goldcrest 44(10); Chaffinch 5(4); Goldfinch 6; Lesser Redpoll 2; Siskin 1; Bullfinch 11(1); Reed Bunting 2. Totals: 548 New; 309 retrapped, 22 visits to the wood, 2 visits to the meadows.

The proportion of new to retrapped is quite remarkable at 36%: it shows that Ravensroost can be a valuable source of data on resident species.

Siskin (Simon Tucker)

Lesser Whitethroat (Simon Tucker)

3. Butterflies

Silver-washed Fritillary (Leanne Newton)

Transect results Apr-Sept 2014 (Non transect sightings, including sightings in meadow area, are in brackets.) First and last dates do not necessarily apply to transect records, but "max" figures do. Transect Indices of Abundance are in red.

Small Skipper From 9th - 30th July, max 15 - almost all feeding on Purple Loosestrife, 24th July 17

(Essex Skipper At least 1, 6th Aug. - second record at the reserve.)

Large Skipper From 11th June - 30th July, max 9, 25th June 28

Large White From 21st May - 17th Sept, all singles 7

Small White Doubtfully recorded from the transect, where those that can be specifically identified almost invariably turn out to be Green-veined White. Seen occasionally in the meadows, eg. one on 11th June. Obviously a poor year for this normally common butterfly.

Green-veined White From 16th Apr - 17th Sept. max 29, 6th Aug. Seen on 19 transect visits - just one fewer than the most frequently seen, the Speckled Wood. 164

Orange Tip From 9th Apr - 15th May, max 6, 16/24 April 19

(Clouded Yellow In the meadows: 2, 25th July, 1, 7th Aug., 30th Sept. & 3rd Oct.)

Brimstone From 9th Apr. - 17th Sept., max 30, 24th July 65

(Brown Hairstreak 28 eggs found, 16th Feb., and 2 more, 22nd Feb. 3 adults incl. a pristine female, 6th Aug., 1, 16th Aug., a possible, 20th Aug., a probable, 30th Aug. 73 eggs found 13th Dec.) None on the transect this year.

Purple Hairstreak From 19th July - 20th Aug., but just one on the transect 1

(Small Copper From 25th May - 3rd Oct)

Holly Blue 2 singles 30th July & 6th Aug 2

Common Blue From 25th May - 17th Sept. - four singles on the transect doubtless wanderers from the meadows where numerous 4

(Brown Argus One, meadows, 6th Aug., the first recorded here in 4 years)

White Admiral From 19th June - 30th July, max 17, 2nd July 54

Peacock From 2nd Apr - 3rd Oct max 75! 24th July 129

Red Admiral From 11th June - 19th Nov. max 2, 9th July 8

(Painted Lady One, meadows, 20th Aug.)

Small Tortoiseshell From 9th Apr. - 20th Aug., just 2 singles on the transect 2

Comma From 13th Apr. - 10th Sept. max 10, 9th July 27

Silver-washed Fritillary From 19th June - 20th Aug., max 33, 9th July. One seen expanding wings, 22nd July. Valesina females: 2, 9th July, 1, 19th July. 153

Valesina Silver-washed Fritillary (Jon Mercer)

(Marbled White From 19th June - 19th July, meadow only this year.)

Speckled Wood From 13th Apr. - 17th Sept., max 16, 17th Sept. How no one reported any after the 17th Sept., the day of its highest count, I cannot fathom. Not a particularly good year, but this species still managed to be seen on 20 transect visits, more than any other species. 159

Meadow Brown From 11th June - 20th Aug., max 59, 9th July 342

Ringlet From 19th June - 24th Jul, max 37, 2nd July 86

Gatekeeper From 9th July - 16th Aug, max 15, 24th July 41

4. Moths

The Forester (Mike Freeth)

In Marc Taylor's traps, 13th Sept, underlined

Nemophora degeerella 11th June

Forester 25th May, 11th June - the first in 4 years, a local species

Six-spot Burnet 11th June

Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet 19th June

Burnet sp. caterpillar 15th May

Nettle Tap From 31st May - 17th Sept.

Ypsolopha parenthesella Sept. 13th

Batia lunaris 13th Sept.

Geoffroy's Tubic 11th June

Agonopterix arenella 19th Nov.

Hypatima rhomboidella 13th Sept

Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix 13th Sept.

Acleris emargana 13th Sept., 5/19 Nov.

Celypha lacunana 11th June

Apotomis betuletana 13th Sept

Agriphila straminella 6th Aug

Brown China Mark 11/19 June

Mother of Pearl 11th June - 6th Aug.

Gold Triangle 13th Sept.

Common Plume 29th Oct.

Pale Eggar 13th Sept

Drinker Caterpillars: 16th Feb., 30th Apr., 1st Oct.

Oak Hook-tip 13th Sept.

Pebble Hook-tip 24th July

Common Lutestring 9th July

Oak Lutestring 13th Sept.- a local species

Orange Underwing 16th Apr. - a local species

Orange Underwing (RG)

Silver Ground Carpet 21st May, 25th May, 5, 31st May, 5/11 June

Shaded Broadbar 16th - 30th July

Common Carpet 6th Aug

Yellow Shell From 11th June - 16th Aug.

Common Marbled Carpet 13th Sept.

Blue-bordered Carpet 3 eggs found on both 16th Feb and 13th Dec.

Green Carpet 13th Sept.

Double-striped Pug 13th Sept

Chimney Sweeper 25th June - interestingly in the middle of the wood not in the meadows where one might expect it but no records yet.

Magpie 20th Aug., 10th Sept.

Clouded Border 2, 25th June

Brimstone 13th Sept

Canary-shouldered Thorn 13th Sept.

Dusky Thorn 13th Sept.

September Thorn 13th Sept.

Dotted Border 1, 5th March

Engrailed 2nd July

Common White Wave 25th June - 30th Jul.

Common Wave 11/19 June

White-pinion Spotted 7th May

Light Emerald 24th July

Elephant Hawkmoth 25th June, caterpillar, 3rd Sept.

Elephant Hawkmoth - a rare daytime encounter (Trevor Simmonds)

Coxcomb Prominent 13th Aug .

Scarlet Tiger 3, 2nd July, including a mating pair, 2, 9th July - a local species, a bit of a Wilts speciality

Scarlet Tiger (Leanne Newton)

Cinnabar 19th June

Flame Shoulder 11th June, 13th Sept.

Large Yellow Underwing 13th Sept.

Lesser Yellow Underwing 13th Sept

Square-spot Rustic 13th Sept.

Common Wainscot 13th Sept.

Centre-barred Sallow 13th Sept.

Green Silver Lines 25th May

Straw Dot 30th July, 16th Aug., 17th Sept.

Snout 13th Sept.

5. Dragonflies

Emerald Damselfly (Mike Freeth)

Banded Demoiselle 25th June, 24th July - a moving water species so presumably visitors not residents

Emerald Damselfly 28th June & 6th Aug.

Large Red Damselfly From 24th Apr.- 24th July

Azure Damselfly 11th June - 19th July (poor year?)

Blue-tailed Damselfly 9th July - 20th Aug.

Common Blue Damselfly 11th June - 20th Aug.

Emperor 21st May - 16th Aug.

Southern Hawker 11th June - 8th Oct. - accompanied the team when pond-clearing on the latter date, rather reminiscent of a Robin!

Brown Hawker 25th June - 30th July

Migrant Hawker 9th July - 20th Aug. C12 tenerals in the meadow, 30th July

Four-spotted Chaser 15th May - 30th July

Broad-bodied Chaser 21st May - 16th Aug ( a very late date)

Broad-bodied Chaser (Andrew Denley)

Black-tailed Skimmer 25th June

Common Darter 2nd July - 8th Oct

Ruddy Darter A probable in the small pond to the NE of the wood, 6th Aug. None seen in the meadow pond for two years now.

6. Bees

From Jane Deacon's bee transect:

Bumble Bees: Buff, Garden, Early, Tree, White Tailed and Common Carder.

Cuckoo Bees: Bombus campestris, the Field Cuckoo, B.vestalis, the Southern Cuckoo, B. barbutellus, Barbut’s Cuckoo and B.bohemicus, the Gypsy Cuckoo

7. Fungi