Announcement

FAMILY FUN DAY

 

Abram Woodland & Wildlife conservation Group would like to invite you to a small mammal survey on Sunday 13 September 2015, 7.30am start. Over the weekend traps will be laid in the hope of capturing many small mammals. This will be the group’s third SMS in two years, the previous two survey’s have proved the presence of mice, voles and shrew on our site. Survey objective is to ascertain continued presence of the various species, and whether or not our conservation management techniques are working. The traps will be opened Sunday morning and results observed. Following this will be a family fun orienteering course. CRACKING WAY TO SPEND SUNDAY MORNING.

 

Winter (Christmas) Bird Survey

What a fabulous walk this turned out to be, eight of us turned up. Not bad considering it was five days before Christmas. It was led, again, partly by me and Steve Atkins of GMEU. Steve thought we could practice the 1 KM transect survey method. The birds spotted on site were as expected, mainly, natives. However, there were quite a few surprises, flocks of Redwing showing all morning, Bullfinch making an appearance and Greenfinch (not seen on site for many a year). Fantastic five hours of bird watching fun.. Survey details posted at later date.

Autumn Bird Survey

Another wonderful day of on-site bird surveying and a delightful identification workshop to finish the event. Full report and maps to follow, once Rodis is back on-line and working properly!
Special sightings were; Willow tit, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and flock of longtailed tits. We also heard a Treecreeper, awesome!!

Woodland survey

Three day woodland survey was a great success. Small mammal trapping proved presence of common shrew. Field vole and wood mouse, which we already knew were present from last years trapping, were also caught. Pipistrelle and Noctule bat were observed and verified by bat detectors. Hundreds of moths were caught, among them the Lesser Swallow Prominent, and various species of caddis fly caught. A more detailed record of results will be posted soon.

Birdsong ID Workshop

What a fantastic morning we had. The workshop led by Steve Atkins of the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, proved to be extremely productive. Maypole wood is Home to: Blackcap, Lesser Redpoll, Whitethroat, Greater spotted woodpecker and Goldcrest. We heard and observed other birds, insects and botanicals. Full report will be posted when all recorded data is received back from the GMEU.

Butterfly Survey

Due to unfavourable weather forecast this event was cancelled. Instead, a RSPB wild square survey took place. AWWCG president, treasurer, secretary and their children took part. Many species of animal and plant were found and other wildlife discoveries made. For a couple of us the highlight of the day was watching the swallows catch day moths and flies, all within a few feet of our heads. Cracking day out!

Some of the more notable observations are listed below.

We discovered:

1. Birds nests
2. Squirrel drays
3. Shield bugs
4. Spiders
5. Butterfly’s
6. Day moths
7. Chiffchaffs
8.  Swallows
9. Ground beetle
10. Wild orchids and many other plants

Mammal Survey (19th October 2013)

A mammal survey was performed using 20 traps set on the evening of the 18th October. The traps were localised in an area to the south of the site.

 

Results

Trap	Position	Result
1	Woodland Canopy/Side of track	–
2	Woodland Canopy/Side of track	–
3	Woodland Canopy/Side of track	Wood Mouse (Adult Male)
4	Top of Bank/Side of Gulley	–
5	Drainage Gulley	–
6	Drainage Gulley	–
7	Drainage Gulley	–
8	Field Boundry/Against Fence	–
9	In Woodland Canopy	–
10	In Woodland Canopy	–
11	Side of Track	Wood Mouse (Juvenile)
12	Drainage Gulley/Side of Fence	–
13	Wood Canopy	–
14	Side of Track/In Wood	–
15	Side of Track	–
16	Side of Track/Brambles	–
17	Grassland/Shrub	–
18	Grassland/Shrub	Field Vole
19	In Reed Canary Grass	Wood Mouse (Juvenile)
20	Grassland/Shrub	–