Work has largely been confined to those areas adjacent to the gravelled tracks so the volunteer group has been very busy cutting coppice alongside these rides so this work has been much in the public eye and has resulted in many people expressing their gratitude for all the wonderful work done, and some people asking how they can get involved. Volunteers have contributed a total of 161 work days since the start of the year.

The first signs of spring was when the toads started croaking and mating in Gravel Pit Pond and the frogs spawned in Bentley Green Pond on 16th February. The first adder was spotted on the 6th March, a rather later date than expected but was no doubt as a result of the scarcity of sunshine despite the really mild weather. Butterflies were similarly affected with brimstones appearing on 14th March, peacock and comma on 17th.

The spring migrants only made themselves obvious when Blackcaps started singing on 29th March and willow warblers the day after. The bird highlight of the period was a female goshawk seen flying over Bentley Green Copse on 19th February.

The wild daffodils were very disappointing this year with only a few plants producing flowers, this after a really good display last year. Oaks started to come into leaf very early on the 30th March, again a sign of the exceptionally mild weather.

Some stormy weather brought down many oak boughs in March some of which were brightly stained by the fungus Chlorociboria aeruginascens or green elf cup.

Graham Dennis - Basingstoke Area Reserves Officer