Calendar
EVENTS 2019/2020
Mallards on the Sheppey, 4th May 2019
The photographs above show a hen Mallard with her seven ducklings on the River Sheppey. She has been observed for a while with her brood on the stretch of water opposite Bowlish School. She may well be the same hen pictured before (the pictured clutch of eggs below did not hatch), with the warm weather and sheltered position further up river possibly being more conducive to breeding?
Previous Report: On Saturday 9th February 2019, a hen mallard duck was noticed sitting on her nest by the Sheppey, at the bottom of our garden!
She sat on her four eggs, but also seemed to spend hours on the river, and was joined much to her delight by her drake partner, on the afternoon of Monday 11th!!
Since then she has spent very little time on the nest, we set up a camcorder to confirm her reluctance to brood, while she was away up-river.
Can only assume that she is an inexperienced Mum, a lazy Mum, or the wind is putting her off, but she only ’sat’ for five hours at one time, as recorded in a twenty four hour period!
We have left her alone, but she isn’t bothered by our presence as she stays ‘a dabbling’ in the river by our banks, with her companion, who has also remained, so who knows?
Observations and Report by J Williams
She sat on her four eggs, but also seemed to spend hours on the river, and was joined much to her delight by her drake partner, on the afternoon of Monday 11th!!
Since then she has spent very little time on the nest, we set up a camcorder to confirm her reluctance to brood, while she was away up-river.
Can only assume that she is an inexperienced Mum, a lazy Mum, or the wind is putting her off, but she only ’sat’ for five hours at one time, as recorded in a twenty four hour period!
We have left her alone, but she isn’t bothered by our presence as she stays ‘a dabbling’ in the river by our banks, with her companion, who has also remained, so who knows?
Observations and Report by J Williams
Six Month Winter Bird Survey 2018-2019
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Above on the right are some of the green status birds seen during our Six Month Winter Bird Survey. Seven households observed and recorded their findings. Left is the distribution map of these observed sightings. These images can be seen in full in the Nature Observed area- Six Month Winter Bird Survey 2018-2019.
DBCS Botany Walk, 24th April
Dr. Helena Crouch led a group of 10 members on a Botany Walk on a rainy Wednesday morning. The group visited J. Williams’ paddock, the verges of Ham Lane and Back Lane and the Millpond bank. This was a very educational and entertaining experience even though the weather was trying to dampen spirits.
Thank you to Helen for donating her time and expertise and to Jane for organising this event.
Dr. Helena Crouch led a group of 10 members on a Botany Walk on a rainy Wednesday morning. The group visited J. Williams’ paddock, the verges of Ham Lane and Back Lane and the Millpond bank. This was a very educational and entertaining experience even though the weather was trying to dampen spirits.
Thank you to Helen for donating her time and expertise and to Jane for organising this event.
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Freshwater Surveys Around Darshill and Bowlish
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A new pond dipping survey was completed on Monday, 15th April by
J Williams and other Society members. Even though the weather was cool a range of creatures were identified which indicates that water clarity is excellent at present. Further surveys are to be completed later this year, which should show a wider range of freshwater life as temperatures increase. View the full range of species in the Nature Observed section- Freshwater Creatures |
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