Watchtree Nature Reserve

Scrub

Scrub is a transitional habitat where grassland and meadow changes into woodland. They typically contain shrubs, bushes and trees, as well as wildflowers and grasses. Being a margin between woodlands and meadow means scrubland forms part of the rich mosaic of habitats that make up Watchtree Nature Reserve. Due to the variable tree cover, the range of species can be extremely diverse with woodland, hedgerow and meadow/grassland species all present. This high level of biodiversity makes scrub a very important habitat. If left unmanaged or un-grazed, scrub will generally turn into woodland.

Species found here

Common Gorse

Ulex europaeus

Defining features: A large evergreen shrub with yellow flowers and needle shaped leaves
Size: Up to 2metres
In flower:: Gorse can be in flower at any time of the year. This has given rise to the well-known saying – “When Gorse is in bloom kissing is in season.”
Habitat: Scrub, unimproved grassland, hedgerows, heathland and urban areas.
Ecological value:: Its dense thicket provides refuge and food for a number of insects and bird species such as Linnets. Its wood burns very hot and in the past was used to heat kilns and bread ovens. It was also crushed to make food for livestock due to its high vitamin and mineral content.
Distribution: Widespread all over Britain and Europe
Conservation Status: Least concern.

Blackthorn

Prunus spinosa

Defining features: Blackthorn is a spiny shrub, with dark brown bark and small, finely toothed, oval shaped leaves.
Size: 5-6 metres
Lifespan: Up to 100 years.
In flower: It develops white flowers in March and April.
Fruit: It produces small blue-black fruits called sloes
Habitat: Scrub, woodlands and hedgerows.
Ecological value: Its early flowering makes it a valuable source of nectar for pollinating insects such as bees. It is also a foodplant of caterpillars of moths and butterflies, as well as an occasional nesting site for bird species. Its sloes are used for flavouring wine and gin, whilst the wood has been used to make walking sticks.
Distribution: Found across Britain and Europe. It is also present in Western Asia and North America where it has been introduced.
Conservation Status: Least concern.

Stoat

Mustela erminea

Defining features: They have a long body with short legs. They have brown backs, a black tail tip and a white underside. They closely resemble weasels but they are slightly bigger.
Size: Males 29 cm with an 11 cm tail. Females 26 cm with a 9 cm tail.
Habitat: Woodlands, scrub, heathland, grassland and urban areas.
Feeding: Predominantly carnivorous, mainly feeding on small mammals. They also eat birds, eggs, fruit and insects when food is scarce.
Nesting: They make nests in hollow tree trunks using grass and leaves. They sometimes nest in thickets.
Breeding season: May – June.
Young: 1 litter of 5 - 12 young.
Conservation Status: Least concern
Population trends: Stable

Common Linnet

Carduelis cannabina

Defining features: The male changes its appearance with the seasons! Typically, darker brown in winter it will develop a pale head with crimson forehead, orange back and pink chest in summer. The female has a pale head and streaked brown back all year round.
Size: 12-14cm length. 21-25cm wingspan.
Lifespan: 2-3 years.
Voice: Twittering tidit tiditit.
Habitat: Heathland, scrub, and farmland.
Nesting: They build neat, bowl-shaped nests, often in gorse bushes or hedgerows.
Feeding: Feeds on the ground, typically on seeds but will also take insects in the summer.
Breeding season: April-July.
Young: Produces 4-6 eggs in 2-3 broods
UK Conservation status: Red
Population trend: Decreasing

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Defining features: Distinctive black, white and red pattern on head. Bright gold panel on otherwise black wings. In winter, many UK Goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain.
Size: 12-13cm length. 21-25cm wingspan.
Lifespan: 2-3 years.
Voice: Chattering skip-i-lip tililip
Habitat: Scrub, hedgerows, farmland and woodland
Nest: Makes a nest of moss, grass and lichens and lined with wool and plant down
Feeding: Feeds on various tree seeds, such as alder and birch, and on thistle, teasel and dandelion seeds.
Breeding season:: May-July
Young: Produces 5 or 6 eggs in 2 broods.
UK Conservation Status: Green
Population trend: Stable

Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Defining features: One of Britain’s most commonly spotted birds of prey. The Buzzard is recognisable by its ability to hover motionless in the wind. They are typically brown but can get paler shades. They have white undersides to their wings
Size: 50-57cm length. 1.13m -1.28m wingspan.
Lifespan: Up to 25 years.
Voice: A noisy screaming pee-yaah or softer mew
Habitat: crub, woodland, grassland and meadow. Will often perch high up on telegraph poles.
Feeding: Feeds on small mammals such as mice and rabbits. Will eat small birds, as well as insects, earthworms and carrion.
Nesting: Makes a nest built out of sticks in trees.
Breeding season: March-June
Young: 2-4 eggs in 1 brood.
UK Conservation Status: Green
Population trend: Stable

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Defining features: A tiny bat with a red/brown coat with black ears and nose. They are nocturnal, returning to their roosts at dawn.
Size: Up to 5cm.
Lifespan: 4-5 years
Habitat: Woodland for roosting, scrub forms a vital corridor between roost sites and a hunting area.
Feeding: Eats mainly gnats and moths.
Roost: They tend to roost in trees or buildings.
Breeding season: June-July
Young: Usually give birth to one baby.
When to see them: At dusk or at night from April to September.
Conservation status: Least concern
Population trend: Stable

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelos

Defining features: Olive brown in colour with brown and black spots on its underside. When in flight its orange underwings can be seen.
Size: 23cm length. 33-36cm wingspan.
Lifespan: Up to 5 years.
Voice: A loud, short, high Stip. Repeating song phrases
Habitat: Woods, hedgerows, farmland, parks and gardens.
Feeding: They are omnivorous, eating a wide range of invertebrates, especially earthworms, slugs and snails, as well as soft fruit and berries.
Nesting: Will nest in a bush or shrub in a cup of grass lined with mud and dung.
Breeding season: March-July
Young: 4-6 eggs in 2-4 broods.
When to see it: It can be seen all year round
UK Conservation status: Red
Population trend: significant decline 1970 to 1995 but partial recovery in last decade.

Scalloped Hazel

Odontopera bidentate

Defining features: Comes in a range of colours from pale brown to black.
Size: Wingspan 32-40 mm
Lifespan: Adults typically live just a couple of weeks
Habitat: Woodland, Scrub and heathland.
Feeding: Larvae feed on varies trees and shrubs including conifers, blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel and birch. Adults will typically just feed on nectar.
Flight Period: May- June at night.
Conservation status: Least concern.
Population trends: Stable
Other species: Red Fox, Brown Hare, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler. Hawthorn.