The Wildlife corner:

There have been sighting of Pheasants, Muntjac deer, Badgers and Foxes around the reserve.

Please send details of your wildlife sightings on the reserve to a Committee member stating who made the observation, the time, date and location.

The local bird population includes the nests of Coot, Canada Geese and Little Grebe. Merecroft has Geese and the Great Crested Grebe breeding successfully. Mallard ducklings were present at both sites. Tufted Duck are occasional visitors and up to 3 Grey Herons have been reported at one time at Wychall and in the River Rea. There have been occasional sightings of Kingfishers along the Rea river. The summer visitors have visited here in numbers with many Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff present and pair of Willow Warblers. 

Fauna

Great tits' fast food establishment By Brian Hewitt (Runs in Media Player)

Bats on Pinehurst Meadow, May 08

A sound track recorded from a bat detector  By Brian Hewitt
including the famous 'raspberry' sound as the bat 'homes in' on its chosen insect!
The bats were recorded at Merecroft on 9th May at 9.30pm;  
thought to be Pipstrelles, and were squeaking at about 45kHz.

Pictures of the Reserve