Week 4: 29th October - 1st November

Monday

Today was our weekly "office day".  We spent the day typing up our blog and continuing researching the new project.

Tuesday

We spent the morning at the ERC checking the moth trap that had been set up on Monday evening.  Only three moths were caught all together and, using a reference book, were able to identify them as two Feathered Thorns (Colotois pennaria), and one Brick (Agrochola circellaris).

Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria)
Image: © Nick Greatorex-Davies; ukmoths.org.uk

Brick (Agrochola circellaris)
Image: © Ian Kimber; ukmoths.org.uk

Approximately 19-23mm, the Feathered Thorn is usually seen between mid-September and early December in habitats such as broadleaf woodland, hedgerows, and gardens/urban areas.

  

  

Approximately 14-19mm, the Brick moth is usually seen between late August and early December in habitats such as broadleaf woodland, scrub, hedgerows, and gardens/urban areas.

The afternoon was spent up in Silent Valley Nature Reserve where we carried out a litter pick of the car park area and boardwalk leading into the reserve.

Wildlife sightings

Buzzard • Magpie • Raven • Jay • Great tit

Wednesday

Back at Magor Marsh today, we spent the morning searching for signs of water voles (http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/water-vole) in an area of dense reed bed that bordered two reens.  This search was required as the reed bed was due to be cut that afternoon as part of a management plan for that habitat.  If left unmanaged, a reed bed habitat can eventually self-poison and damage the biodiversity of the area.

Sally going into the reeds to start searching for water vole signs.

As no signs of water voles were found in the area, the afternoon was spent clearing the reeds.  Brushcutters were used to cut down the reeds and then hay rakes were used to clear up the debris into several piles.

Thursday

Today was another office day, as Sally wasn't able to come in.  The day was spent researching and reading up on information to help get the new project underway.