Nature is Waking up

The study of phenology (def: the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life) has been increasingly on the agenda for ecologists as they seek to understand the impact of a changing climate on wildlife. Luckily undergraduates here have been busy studying this phenomena at a fine site based scales using a number of indicator species including macro-moths and the hazel dormouse!

BSc Land Management student Katie Hall has been examining changes in moth diversity at Pitsford Reservoir using over 15 years worth of comprehensive records. Her classmate, Deborah Crossan, has been examining trends in reintroduced dormice populations at Brampton Wood over the last 20 years. We hope to be able to reveal the results of their fascinating studies soon!

Closer to home, siskin and teal (Plate 1) have been spotted on the estate and the great crested newts are active once again in our farm ponds. It appears nature is finally waking up after a long winter of slumber.....

Plate 1: Amber listed Anas crecca (teal) - a new record for the College farm. Image courtesy of the RSPB.