RAVENSROOST WOOD ANNUAL REPORT 2023

by Robin Griffiths, Voluntary Warden

Above:  Geoff, John, RG, Maurice C., Jerry, Maurice W., Heather, Liz, Helen, Trevor, Steve D. & Ken, 25th October 2023 (Kevan Wind)

                                                                                                                                 Above: Scalloping, 15th February (RG)

THE WEDNESDAY TEAM

The first winter period of 2023 started with the continuation of the coppicing in section X north on 4th January. The following week Geoff's group started hedgelaying along the boundary with Robinswood Farm in the south of the wood. This was completed on 25th January, while the coppicing continued, then the following week, 1st February, the coppicing was finally completed. That day the team moved out into Ravens Retreat to clear Blackthorn in the north west corner to allow room for laying the hedge between Ravens Retreat and the north meadow. This was completed and the day ended with repairs and refilling of the dead hedge around the pond at the edge of the wood in section P, adjacent to the bridleway. The hedgelaying at Ravens retreat was all done on 8th Feb, while most of the team started scrub clearing in scallops along the north ride, this week concentrating on scallops east of the ride. In addition two Hawthorns were felled in section P to allow a young Wild Service Tree to flourish.

 The following week three scallops were cleared along the northern ride, while Geoff's hedgelayers started laying this year's section of the hedge along the Byway. The first butterfly - a Red Admiral was seen. Two more scallops were done on 22nd Feb., disturbing in the process no less than four species of hibernating moth, while the byway hedging continued. In addition 2 Harvest Mouse nests were found. On 1st March the scalloping was complete as nearly was the hedgelaying along the byway. No session was held on 8th March due to a blizzard! The only completely missed session this season, though some were curtailed. The hedgelaying was completed along the byway on 15th March, and more laying was started along the east side of the wood in section P, again continuing a hedge started in earlier years. Most of the team spent that day cutting Blackthorn in Ravens Retreat, a painful task but well worth doing by hand as vehicles cannot gain access there, and it improves the state of the Blackthorn for egg-laying Brown Hairstreaks. In the process 9 Brown Hairstreak eggs were found that hadn't been seen during the search in November - obviously the plants they were on were not cut and red wool was tied to indicate the eggs.

 On 22nd March hedgelaying in section P continued and the rest of the team carried out hedge repairs along the bridleway, concentrating on the western part. On the last day of the season, 29th March, we walked round the wood as is becoming the tradition on the last morning, on this occasion being joined by Debbie Chambers the section coordinator, Conservation and Land Management. Finally we adjourned to the Dragonfly Cafe for lunch.

In all we did 12 sessions in the Jan - March period with just the one missed session (see above). Attendance averaged 12.4 volunteers per session with a maximum of 15 on 1st February and minimum of 9 on 18th January. This compares with an average attendance in Jan - Mar 2022 of 14.2. Total volunteer hours was 632.75 compared to 716 in 2022.

The second "winter" period started on 6th September with the annual scything of the main ride. A slightly more protracted scything task this year because of missed sessions on 20th Sept (weather) and 11th October when with Ken away we started the Newt Pond clearing, and 18th Oct. when coppicing in section X (south) was begun. The scything was finished on 25th Oct. and Ken fitted a dolly wheel under the main entrance gate. Pond clearing of elodea was finished on 1st Nov. Coppicing continued and was complete on 15th Nov - the quickest coppicing season ever, because some of the year's area was left uncut to avoid wind tunnelling into the wood from the south now that our neighbour at Robinswood Farm has cut many of his trees and shrubs. Also that day, the hedge-laying along the south edge of the reserve was started again from where the team left it off last January. This continued till the end of the year. On 22nd Nov. the pond in section H was cleared of surrounding scrub and trees. On 29th Nov. trees threatening the shooting hut were felled (in the process flushing the roosting Tawny Owl from the nest box - the first evidence we have had that it is being used!) and a halo was created around a couple of oaks in section N. The following week these two tasks were finished, and dead branches were cleared away from some fresh young Wild Service Trees in section L1. That afternoon we cleared trees and shrubs around a pond in section P. On 13th Dec. we scythed the secondary rides R41 and 40 and started R37.

In all we did 14 sessions in the Sep - Dec period, not including 20th Dec. when we walked around the reserve before adjourning to the Dragonfly Cafe. Attendance averaged 12.1 volunteers per session with a maximum of 16 on 1st and 15th November, and minimum of 8 on 6th September, 11th Oct. and  8th Nov. This compares with an average attendance in Sept. - Dec. 2022 of 11.  Total volunteer hours was 753.75 compared to 748 in 2022. In addition Rosie Wilson joined us for the session of 15th Nov.

Future plans: Outside the wood, it is planned that the phragmites reedbed currently expanding at a rapid rate and threatening to fill the largest meadow pond will be dealt with some time in the next two years as part of a complete restoration of the ponds (another one of the three is currently choked with reedmace), and also that interim work targeting the reeds will happen sooner. This is because the pond is not extensive enough to accommodate reeds as well as open water - the former are far too vigorous. This will restore habitat that, while not being part of the SSSI, is very valuable, particularly for the large number and variety of dragonflies and damselflies that it attracts. Ths is not part of our team's brief, at least the major part of the work. 

What is our responsibility is further hedge-laying along the hedge immediately east of the wood dividing Ravens Retreat from Curlew Meadow, to be carried out this season, and more Blackthorn management may be done in Ravens Retreat if time allows. 

In the wood itself we will continue scything the secondary rides, a portion as yet undecided of next year's coppice coupe will be done this season, and some of the existing scallops in the north of the wood will be cleared of scrub. Work will be done to scythe the bridleway and maintain the bridleway hedges. 

As always I am exceedingly grateful to the loyal, enthusiastic and skilful members of the team. Working this year were: joint team leaders Jacqui Cockram, Geoff Whittle and Ken Saunders, first aiders Ken, Maurice Watkins, Trevor Simmonds, Steve Davies and Jon Beresford. Other hard workers were Jane Deacon, Heather Berry, Maurice Chandler, John Durell, Vanessa Goodall, Steve Medcraft, Trevor Simmonds, Helen Strike, Maurice Watkins, Kevan Wind, Iain Le Duc, and newcomers to the team Liz Bone, Sarah Windo, Rhianna Drury, Fred Lumsden, Phil Gilvin, Steve Lloyd, Matt Bristow, Jeremy Ollis, Robin Simpson and Rick Campbell. A special mention of Steve Davies who has clocked up the most hours of any of the volunteers (other than the leaders) since September 2022  - 174 hours.

Sadly Jacqui has had to leave the team due to a change of health and family circumstances, and we are all going to miss her total committment to Ravensroost Wood as well as her dynamic and creative leadership skills. She has spent many hours at the wood working on all her projects, some of which are described in her contribution to this report, and has expended much effort and a considerable amount of her own resources on them. She has encouraged and inspired team members old and new in many ways. We presented her with a framed photograph of many of the team on 4th December and wish her all the very best for the future. 

In Jacqui's absence, Helen is to take on the joint leadership role.

One of our team, Andy Cox, died in February 2023 - he was a very keen and hard-working team member right up until just five months before he died, at both Ravensroost and Swindon Lagoons/Rivermead. I attended his funeral together with Simon Wicks and some of his team members.

WILDLIFE SURVEYS and events

The usual surveys - a late winter bird count on 2nd March, breeding bird territory survey ( weekly from Apr - Jun), butterfly transect (weekly from April - Sept.), Brown Hairstreak egg searches - 20th & 24th November,  and regular mothing - 8 sessions between 21st March and 22nd October,  Jacqui's Wild Service Tree, orchid and fungi surveys and Simon's bird-ringing sessions were carried on in 2023. Results of some of these are to be seen below. I would be very grateful for results of any other surveys that have taken place on the reserve, so they can be included here - because as far as I know this is the only source combining all wildlife recording in the Ravensroost reserve.

Of events, a Butterfly Conservation field trip on 8th July combined with seeing the moths from a trapping done in the wood the previous night, and attracted seven people (several more were put off by the poor weather).  Few butterflies ventured out but one was a White Admiral happily.  A recorded interview on 18th July with myself and Angela Leaman of the Wilts BC branch committee, promoting the BC Big Butterfly Count, was held with BBC Wiltshire Sound at Ravensroost - the resultant programmes were broadcast through the following week. Being the Breakfast Show, the event was "more like a natural history version of Top Gear " (Angela)  than a serious discussion, but care was taken to promote both charities! On 26th August a public mothing event mainly for the rare woodland specialist, the Oak Lutestring, attracted eight people -  two were from Stroud (beginners) and one was from Minehead (a twitcher seeking the Oak Lutestring)! Also (another) Robin from Highworth who is now a regular team member. All  four were Butterfly Conservation members who found out about the event from the BC website. 

                                                                                                          Above: Spotted Flycatcher, 7th July (Richard Vernon)

BIRDS

It was a quiet year for birds in the reserve with one new species - the Cetti's Warbler heard by Jane Deacon at the meadow ponds on 2nd March - a quite likely coloniser,  and a much more noticeable presence than before, year round, of the Raven, appropriately! There were the usual few tantalising Spotted Flycatcher sightings, but no proof of breeding this year. Willow Warblers seemed to have another good year with an estimated four territories in the wood - as an open woodlands species, their presence here is mainly due to the coppicing.

Classified list 

Unnamed reports are by RG and team. A.= all records given    Underlined - considered to have bred, or held territory, in 2023 (see paragraph following the list)

Pheasant  Resident  2, 2nd Mar.

Stock Dove  Resident  Territory established this year. 1, 13th Apr.

Wood Pigeon  Resident  3, 2nd Mar.

Moorhen Resident  1, 2nd Mar. at the meadow ponds. Breeding status unclear.

Sparrowhawk  Resident  1, 2nd Mar.

Red Kite Resident  2, 2nd Mar., 1, 13th Apr. It is probably breeding somewhere in the vicinity of the wood.

Buzzard  Resident  1, 2nd Mar.

Barn Owl  Resident  Two pulli ringed by Simon Tucker - see below

Tawny Owl  Resident  Sometimes heard calling in daytime. One was flushed from the owl box in the shooting hut during tree felling on 29th Nov.

Great-spotted Woodpecker  Resident  3. 2nd Mar.

Green Woodpecker  Resident  1, 13th Apr. As last year, territory not established for the Green Woodpecker.

Kestrel  Resident  Seen regularly over the meadows, and probably breeding nearby.

Magpie Resident  1, 2nd Mar. Probably breeding somewhere in the vicinity of the wood.

Jay  Resident

Jackdaw  Resident  18 counted around the reserve, 2nd Mar.

Crow  Resident 6, 2nd Mar.

Raven  Resident   2, 2nd Mar. Family(?) of 4, 23rd Aug.  A real increase in this species' appearances this year and for the first time a territory was established during the breeding season (see below). By contrast there were only four contacts last year - this year too many to list, at all seasons. Let's hope this situation remains in the future.

Coal Tit  Resident  1, 2nd Mar.

Marsh Tit Nationally decreasing resident, the subject of a long term colour-ringing project by Simon Tucker. 4, including one singing, 1st March, 1, 2nd Mar., a colour-ringed bird, 7th Apr., and another or the same on 13th Apr. was apparently 18 months old - ringed as a juvenile on the 13th October 2021  (via Simon Tucker) Often seen and heard near the apparently favoured foodplants, Burdock and Wild Service Trees.

Blue Tit  Resident  An amazing 32 recorded round the reserve on 2nd March!

Great Tit Resident  12, 2nd Mar.

Sky Lark  Resident to N. of reserve - sometimes observed overhead   1, 7th May

Swallow  Summer visitor  Seen regularly overhead.

Cetti's Warbler  Resident  1, 2nd March - the first for the reserve (JaneD) - the shape of things to come at the meadow ponds?

Long-tailed Tit  Resident   4, 2nd Mar.

Willow Warbler  Summer resident  1, 7th Apr. This species, declining in the south of  England, seems to be keeping up good numbers at the reserve at present.

Chiffchaff  Summer resident and occasional winter visitor  10, 7th Apr.

Blackcap  Summer resident  1, 7th Apr.

Garden Warbler  Summer resident  1, 4th May. Still holding territories in the wood, especially in the coppiced areas.

Common Whitethroat  Summer resident in meadows  First, 1, 4th May.  One or two breeding in the meadows

Lesser Whitethroat  Summer resident in meadows  First, 1, 19th Apr.  One, perhaps two, breeding in the hedgerows around the meadows.

Goldcrest  Resident  1, 2nd Mar.

Wren Resident  3. 2nd Mar.

Nuthatch  Resident  3, 2nd Mar.

Treecreeper  Resident  1, 7th Apr.

Redwing  Winter visitor  c10, 20th Nov.

Song Thrush  Resident  3, 2nd Mar.

Mistle Thrush Resident Singing from 1st March

Blackbird  Resident  7, 2nd Mar.

Fieldfare  Winter visitor   c50,  20th Nov.

Spotted Flycatcher  Scarce summer resident/passage migrant  1, 5th May (Bob Philpott), 1, 15th June, 2, maybe 3, 7th July (Richard Vernon)  Such an elusive summer resident is probably breeding, as strongly suggested by the report on 7th July, but only one contact during the survey this year so territory not established.A

Robin  Resident  4, 2nd Mar.

Dunnock  Resident  Territory not established this year but probably breeding in the eight year coppice.

Chaffinch Resident  9, 2nd Mar.

Bullfinch Resident  1,13th Apr.

Lesser Redpoll  Winter visitor, and occasionally at other times of year. Has bred (2016, locally, if not actually on the reserve). 5, 2nd Mar., 8+, 20th Nov.

Goldfinch Resident  2, 2nd Mar.

Siskin  Mainly  autumn/winter visitor  1+, 13th Sept., 2+, 20th Nov.   A

Reed Bunting  Resident at the ponds most years  One ringed by Simon - see below

In addition a Goshawk was observed on one occasion as in some previous years (date withheld)

TERRITORY  ESTIMATES FOR BREEDING BIRDS 2023: (2021 & 2022 estimate in brackets.P = present but territory not established) : Robin 11 (13,12), Blue Tit 10 (11,8), Blackbird 9 (8,9), Wren 8 (9,8), Chiffchaff 6 (8,8), Blackcap 6 (8,7), Great Tit 4 (5,3), Chaffinch 4 (3,3), Willow Warbler 4 (3,4), Nuthatch 3 (3,3), Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (2,2), Wood Pigeon 2 (3,3), Coal Tit 2 (3,2), Marsh Tit 2 (2,3), Crow 2 (2,2), Pheasant 2 (1,2), Jackdaw 2 (-,-), Song Thrush 2 (3,3), Jay 2 (2,1), Garden Warbler 2 (3,2), and single territories estimated for Goldfinch (P,1), Long-tailed Tit (P,1), Raven (-,-), Buzzard (2.1), Treecreeper (P,1), Mistle Thrush (2,2), Goldcrest (P,1), Stock Dove (P,1), Bullfinch (1,P), Tawny Owl (-,-), Sparrowhawk (1,P). The following were recorded but territory not established (P): Red Kite (-,-), Green Woodpecker (1,P), Dunnock (1,1), Magpie (-,-) & Spotted Flycatcher (P,P) 

Ringing Report 2023 by Simon Tucker

2023 ringing data: we ran 11 sessions overall.  They were split 6:5 Wood : Meadow.  

Winter catches were affected in two ways: the forestry work kept us out until February, and the Trust decided that there could be no feeding, as a precaution against avian flu. 

Unaged = birds that can't be reliably aged on plumage

                                                               Above: Violet Helleborine, 21st July & Bird's Nest Orchid, 16th May 2023 (Both by Jacqui Cockram)

BIRDS NEST ORCHIDS AND VIOLET HELLEBORINES REPORT 2023  by Jacqui Cockram

(NB. Locations have been suppressed in the following report for security reasons)

It has been a relatively good season for the wild Orchids. They are more vulnerable now that they don't have protectors and a little more difficult to see without the stakes. The cane sticks that have replaced the stakes are a little difficult to get far enough into the ground and it may be a good idea to check they are still in place every now and then.

Birdsnest Orchids New Plants 2023

None of the Birdsnest Orchids made a show this year. We had two new plants Geoff 2 and YBno14, both of these new plants flowered which was excellent. We had no plants that took damage. Our total is 21 plants. 

Violet Helleborine New Plants 2023

a)  2 new plants. 

b)  5 new plants one of those Plants was found at least 4m from the ditch going towards the wood. Excellent news.

Damage to Violet Helleborines 2023

c) 8 plants took damage we assume it is the deer as there was no tearing damage done to the plants. These plants are in a vulnerable position being so close to the path. Nick is looking into how we can offer more protection.

d) 3 plants took damage. One plant was able to recover and flower.

Number of Plants that Flowered 2023

Birdsnest Orchids

2 plants both new

Number of Plants that Flowered Violet Helleborines 2023

e) 9 plants flowered

f) 11 plants flowered

Total Number of Violet Helleborines 48

Above: An elusive Brown Hairstreak, 11th Aug. (Peter Sketch), White Admiral, 24th June & the even more elusive White-letter Hairstreak on its Wych Elm, 7th July (last two by RG)

BUTTERFLIES

Butterfly Transect 2023

The usual mix of ups and downs for the species in the wood, with the best result being for the Gatekeeper, a much higher IoA than ever before. Also highest ever IoAs for Large Skipper, Red Admiral and Comma. However fairly humdrum results for most other species, and rather disappointing to see the White Admiral in particular, but also the Silver-washed Fritillary dropping in numbers from their recent highs. It was good to see three species of Hairstreak all showing on the transect, even though only singles for two of them.

All dates relating to transect visits below are for the "week beginning" not the actual date. Casual records not on transect visits are accurately dated.

IoA = Index of Abundance (sum of all totals)

Comments are comparing totals with numbers in the previous 9 years, while plus and minus signs indicate short term trends.( = indicates no particular trend.)

Underlined species are species of conservation importance.

-      Small Skipper  From 1/7 - 22/7, max 2, 22/7, IoA 3 - fairly typical result for this species which isn't a woodland specialist. There are plenty in the surrounding meadows.

 +     Large Skipper  From 17/6 - 22/7, max 14, 17/6, IoA 34  - apparently increasing at Ravensroost - the highest IoA ever, by 3 over 2020.

 +      Brimstone  From 1/4 - 19/8, max 19, 22/7 & 5/8, IoA 88 - further increase - IoA 20 more than last year, the second highest IoA after 2016, with 100. The increase in this species may be related to the planting of Buckthorn on Ravens Retreat in 2016 (though that would have been too late to affect the record numbers in that year!)

 -      Large White  From 13/5 - 16/9, max 3, 22/7, IoA 15 - two down on last year but an erratic migrant so not significant

 -     Small White  From 24/6 - 2/9, max 4, 19/8, IoA 17 - down by 9 from last year but fairly typical - not as common as the next species except in the car park!

  -    Green-veined White  From 29/4 - 23/9, max 10, 22/7, IoA 69 - down by half from last year's bumper result

 -     Orange Tip  From 1/4 - 20/5, max 6, 29/4, IoA 24 - down by more than half from last year's bumper result - this and the last species seem to fluctuate in parallel

  =       Brown Hairstreak  One single, 29/7, IoA 1 - same as last year, this time seen in the small clearing round the Alder at the junction of section 6 and 7 of the transect. One or two have been seen on transect in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Also one seen off transect in the picnic table area on 23rd August. Also 1, 11th Aug. (Peter Sketch)  Only 98 eggs were found in the 2022/3 winter, though egg search results rarely show any relation to the few adult sightings. This is borne out by the record total of eggs found in November 2023 - 300, of which all but 10 were in Ravens Retreat, though in the hedges rather than in the now maturing plantation! The fruit of our work last February cutting Blackthorn by hand in the field.

   +       Purple Hairstreak  From 1/7 - 29/7, max 11, 1/7, IoA 13 - a good result though below average for the last five years. As in other "good" years the total is helped by low-flying individuals usually early on in the species' appearance. Also 1, 26th June ( Jacqui Cockram), 20+ low along tracks, 6th July (Rob Mellors)

   =         White-letter Hairstreak  One single, 1/7, IoA 1 - in exactly the same place as last year, on a Wych Elm. Only four previous years out of nine have had any WLHs on the transect, in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2022, in the case of 2018, 5 individuals!  Another was reported via David Garwood on 26th June.

   -           Common Blue  From 29/7 - 12/8, max 4, 5/8, IoA 7 - down again to fairly normal figures after the relative abundance of Common Blues in the wood last year, but still an above average IoA.

    -         Holly Blue  From 6/5 - 26/8, max 2, 29/7,IoA 7 - the  highest IoA was 8 last year but not significant - this is a butterfly not easily monitored

    -           White Admiral     From 24/6 - 29/7, max 17, 24/6, IoA 36 - the fourth highest IoA figure but sad to see it dropping again from the 46 in 2021. There were 43 in 2022.  The max of 17 is the same as the max in 2022, but the numbers dropped quite quickly after the first couple of weeks. Ravensroost's most important butterfly species (in my opinion). It has been suggested that, given time, we might spend an extra session looking for this species off transect at the height of the flight period to see how many there really are in the  reserve as a whole. Also 2, 21st June (Graham Goodfellow)

    +         Red Admiral  From 27/5 - 23/9, max 7, 22/7, IoA 33 - the highest ever IoA - beating the the previous highest in 2017 by 7. Also one on 15th Feb.

    +          Painted Lady  A single on 8/7, IoA 1 - only the third year ever with transect sightings of this migrant - the others were one in 2016 and 3 in 2019

               (Small Tortoiseshell.  None this year. The max IoA is only 5, back in 2015, and with such a poor year generally for the species, it was not expected.)

    +          Peacock  From 1/4 - 5/8, max 5, 22/7 & 29/7,IoA 22 - like last year, well below average, though an increase of 2.

     +         Comma 1/4 - 23/9, max 10, 1/7, IoA 53 - the highest ever IoA, the nearest being 43 in 2021 - the species seems to be on the increase

      -         Silver-washed Fritillary  From 24/6 - 19/8, max 32, 1/7, IoA 100 - the same IoA as 2021 but 43 less than last year, sadly. For some reason did really well at Somerford Common nearby with the highest IoA ever (in 40 years!). Also 1, 21st June (Graham Goodfellow)

      -          Speckled Wood  From 22/4 - 23/9, max 29, 2/9, IoA 204 - although down from last year's record number, still an above average performance.

    +          Marbled White A single on 1/7, IoA 1 - another occurrence of this grassland species - to quote from 2021: "probably vagrants from the meadows where there are a lot, although it is possible they may breed along the rides in the wood in tiny numbers." 

   +            Gatekeeper  From 1/7 - 2/9, max 50, 22/7, IoA 143 - for some reason a huge year for the Gatekeeper - an increase over last year's record IoA by 56!

     +          Meadow Brown  From 3/6 - 2/9, max 53, 1/7, IoA 276 - by contrast to the Gatekeeper another poor show - though better than the last two years - to quote from the 2021 report: "it is so common normally that (the decline) would not be noticed without the transect survey" 

    -        Ringlet  From 24/6 - 29/7, max 39, 1/7, IoA 118 - a fluctuating species with the same poor IoA as in 2021 following a near record show last year

                                                                                                            Above : Mating Silver-washed Fritillaries, 13th July (RG)

From top left: Large Emerald, 7th July, Orange Moth, 15th June, Minor Shoulder-knot, 20th June, Dotted Chestnut, 21st March, Oak Lutestring, 26th Aug. (Minor Shoulder-knot photographed in daytime by Jacqui Cockram, other photos by RG)

Below: Hairy Dragonfly, 24th May, Large Red Damselfly, 10th May, (both by RG), Tapered Drone Fly Eristalis pertinax, 23rd July 2022 (Peter Sketch)

This is the 13th Ravensroost Annual Report - if any previous reports are needed please contact me for a link - RG.