|
BOURNEMOUTH NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY | ||
| 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3NS, UK. Registered Charity No. 219585 |
Number of Members & Visitors: 15
Leader: Rosemary Broadey
Map Ref: OL15 / SY 961 913 (Holton Lee Reserve)
Weather: A beautiful, sunny, mild day.
Itinerary & Notes:
Holton Lee covers an area of 350 acres, the majority of which is recognised and protected as a SSSI. During the day we visited
much of the site. Its habitats include heathland, saltmarsh, reedbed, and both conifer and deciduous woodlands. Staff and
volunteers carry out conservation work to maintain the habitats. There was evidence of felling in the conifer woods and the
construction of a new walkway that gives access into reedbeds. The Environment Officer, Matthew Briers, spoke to us especially
about the new allotment project - for further information click here:
www.holtonlee.co.uk.
Bird Notes:
Three returning migrant species were seen - nesting Swallows - many singing Chiffchaffs - and a couple of Blackcaps.
Birds from the big colony of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls from islands in Poole Harbour, flew around catching insects.
Seven Common Buzzards circled above - it was suggested that local birds might be meeting and greeting passage migrants.
Total number of species seen was 30, as detailed below:
| Little Egret | Great Black-backed Gull | Blue Tit | |
| Shelduck | Woodpigeon | Great Tit | |
| Mallard | Swallow | Jay | |
| Common Buzzard | Wren | Magpie | |
| Pheasant | Robin | Jackdaw | |
| Oystercatcher | Blackbird | Carrion Crow | |
| Lapwing | Mistle Thrush | Raven | |
| Redshank | Blackcap | House Sparrow | |
| Black-headed Gull | Chiffchaff | Chaffinch | |
| Mediterranean Gull | Long-tailed Tit | Goldfinch |