Quantock Hills Blog

What Wood the survey show?

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Andy Harris

Posted by Andy Harris on 04 May 2010

What Wood the survey show? Woodland birds have had mixed fortunes with some species populations declining whilst others have seen an increase.

This year, working in partnership with the National Trust and RSPB, we are undertaking a detailed survey of woodland bird species found in the Sessile Oak woods above Holford.  In particular we are focussing on Wood Warblers and volunteers are helping us by doing transects through the woods and recording all Wood Warblers heard along the route.  Although Wood Warblers look similar to two other species, the Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, their song is very distinctive.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday the first surveys were undertaken and the plan is to do a further two visit by mid June.  Although it is early in the season to hear Wood Warblers as they migrate to our woods from Africa several singing males were recorded.  My own transect got off to a good start when I stumbled across a small cast deer antler whilst a Wood Warbler declared his arrival from the tree canopy above.

We are also going to be doing a very quick survey of Dartford Warblers this summer as their numbers have crashed due to the past couple of severs winters.  If you know what you’re looking for and fancy a challenge I would be very grateful to receive any reports of Dartford Warblers being seen or heard on the open hill.

Keep you posted.

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  • No avatar available
    Lydeard Lowlander

    05 May 10

    There seemed to be plenty of willow warblers, average chiffchaffs, no wood warblers and no dartfords on my last walk just over a week ago. Have a sore Achilles tendon so am limited to any activity I can undertake on the hills which is a shame, especially at this time of the year. Have been road cycling past Dead Woman’s ditch and saw the foal that is currently hanging out there with his mum eating what looked like a rag. Not good. That whole stretch of road is bad for people feeding horses. There was a sign at the Crowcombe Park Gate CP about it but it appeared to have gone the last time I went through. Could the wardens actually move vulnerable foals with their mothers away from touristy spots or would that be too intrusive on their lifestyles?

  • No avatar available
    Quantock Hills AONB

    11 May 10

    While sympathetic to your suggestion of moving the ponies from Visitor Parking Areas, the reason they are there, as you have rightly spotted, is because they get fed! On numerous occasions Rangers have spoken to the public about this and will continue to do so when they see it happening but moving the foals and mothers away is not practical given the amount of time we can be there. 

    Re the wood warblers, we have just done a survey and heard a good dozen in the Coombes above Holford so hopefully you will hear something soon.

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