There is now so much to look for on the Heathland. On 10 May Neil Burt recorded “green and greater spotted woodpeckers, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, 7 garden warblers (4 singing), 2 cuckoos (male & female both calling), common buzzard, sparrow hawk with prey, male bullfinch, a hobby heading north, a singing male nightingale with brief flight views, plus lots of linnets and yellowhammers.” To that list Area Manager Ian Rickards adds whitethroat, nuthatch, green tiger beetles, orange tip butterfly and broad bodied chaser (dragonfly). In June look and listen also for the lizards, myriad insects, more butterflies and moths and the wonderful southern marsh and heath spotted orchids. And as the volunteers, anxious to get back to work, well know, the bloomin’ bracken and birch are growing well!
Ian confirms that visitors are still welcome to visit Hothfield Heathlands as part of their daily exercise. We have taken most catches off gates so that you can open without using your hands. Remember that there is still livestock on site so all gates still need to be left closed. Trails are signposted and marked on entrance maps, as is the location of livestock. The noticeboard down the main slope from the Cades Road car park gives recent wildlife sightings. Please keep dogs in check, especially around children and livestock, and away from the scrub, heather and undergrowth where they will disturb sensitive wildlife. Please remove dog mess, including in the Triangle compartment and take your general litter home. Be tick aware for dogs and humans throughout the summer; guidance is available here.