Wildlife - Sightings And Updates

Wildlife sightings and notes

©Nick Martin

The peregrine pair at Harlech Tower in North Birmingham have successfully fledged 3 young, who have now left the area, whilst raptors become an increasingly common sight throughout the City especially buzzards, as well as raven.

The dry summer has produced a bumper crop of warblers especially chiffchaff, a few of which over-winter and we may even hear calling in January. We came across the caterpillar below earlier this year, can anyone identify it?.

©Natalie Walker

Other Sightings

Osprey, sighted over Sutton Park, migrating south, 28 September 2011

Crossbill (10), migrating East to West Hilltop Local Nature Reserve 16th October Sighting by Peter Hackett

Brambling (3), migrating East to West Hilltop Local Nature Reserve 16th October Sighting by Peter Hackett

Red Kite 2nd October Weoley Castle

Crossbill 17th September Longmoor Valley, Sutton Park

Ring necked parakeet 24th September Old Rectory Farm, Sheldon

Hoopoe (female) 26th July Tallington Road, Sheldon

©Laura Kitson

Wildlife Rhythms

It’s the time of year when its all change for the birds, our summer visitors the swallows and warblers are off on their southward journey and the winter thrushes and goldcrests from Scandinavia are just starting to appear. There are just the last moths and butterflies of the summer, including many that have migrated from the continent such as Clouded yellow and Painted lady. Next month is an ideal time to start looking for mushrooms, and no-where is as good in the City as Sutton Park National Nature Reserve, with penny buns, and birch boletus abounding.