Nature Notes 29 September 2020

Nature Notes 29 September 2020

Basking newborn common lizards (c) Philip McErlean

Observations from staff and members on our Nature Reserves this week.

Nature reserves may look completely wild, but our 19 reserves across Northern Ireland are actually carefully managed by a dedicated team. We protect, restore and create a mix of habitats where wildlife can thrive.
Rush cutting at Slievenacloy

Rush cutting at Slievenacloy (c) Ronald Surgenor

Slievenacloy Nature Reserve

Over the last three weeks, we’ve been cutting back the rushes at Slievenacloy to stop them encroaching on the species-rich grassland. This work takes place annually, at the end of the bird-nesting season, and is essential to maintain Slievenacloy’s fragile habitats and special wildlife ~ Ronald

Although it’s coming towards the end of the common lizard season in the upland areas, I still saw 12 this afternoon at Slievenacloy (2 groups of 5 and 2 individuals) – all were this year's newborns ~ Philp McErlean, Volunteer Lizard Surveyor.

There's quite a large flock of goldfinches hanging around Slievenacloy at the moment - there's a few hundred in the flock, they're pretty active so can be at any part of the site but once you catch up with them they're a real treat to see (and hear!) ~ Andy

Basking newborn common lizards (c) Philip McErlean

Basking newborn common lizards (c) Philip McErlean

Goldfinches (c) Zsusanna Bird

Flock of goldfinches (c) Zsusanna Bird