March 2008

Hello from Fairy Dell, it has been another long absence, with work commitments again taking up so much time.
Spring is upon us once again and all around the Dell new plants are springing up, Dogs Mercury are well on their way as usual and the SnowDrops and Primroses that were planted by the group and local schools are in bloom.

Walking along the Marton Beck on the other side of Gunnergate I found evidence of Deer using the area by the tracks left in the muddy path. I tracked where the single deer had walked along the path until they stopped and it must have headed off through the trees and bushes.

Deer Tracks along Marton West Beck

The Night Heron seems to have gone now as it hasn't been seen for some time at it's usual perch on the island in Gunnergate Lake.

This morning was a good day with lots of birds seen, including a pair of Bullfinches. The highlight of the morning must be the discovery of a female Sparrowhawk carrying nesting material to a half built nest in a crook of a tree. I spent sometime watching the nest from my position behind a bush and saw it fly back and attack a squirrel that ventured a little too close. The squirrel was darting round the trunk with the Sparrowhawk after it with talons out clearly showing it's beautiful wing markings.


Male Bullfinch, Fairy Dell



In the Dell park you might have seen some public art designed and displayed by Julia, one of the Friends of Fairy Dell.