Arlesey Conser vation For Nature

Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers or even Jays among the trees in the Old Moat, although all three are o ften heard rather than seen.

The river and pond in the Old Moat attract several water birds with Grey and Pied Wagtails flicking abou t in the Common by the bridge, and o ften a Little Egret can be seen here, wading in the river looking for its lunch. Kingf ishers can surprise you, with their high pitched “pip” call o ften giving away that one is approaching before you see a brief flash o f iridescent blue/orange as it quickly flies past, follo wing the river along its course

Moorhens and Mallard ducks are common on the river and their young are f requently seen in the summer months

The wooded area at the Old Moat is ideal habitat for Chiffchaffs, the occasional Willo w Warbler and Blackcaps All these birds are migrator y, bu t o ver the last few years, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps have o ver wintered due to the warming climate and mild winters we are currently seeing

During spring, the non-migrator y birds are also establishing territories and building nests with plenty o f Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long - tailed Tits all along the river f rom the Common to Glebe Meado ws. If you are lucky, you may even see Great Spo tted

The pair o f Barn Owls that nest around the old Orchard by the foo tpath f rom the High Street can also be seen in early morning and late afternoon ou t hunting This is more likely after a windy or wet night and once the weather has blo wn o ver Barn o wls are auditor y hunters, relying on their hear t shaped facial feathers to direct the slightest scurr ying sound o f a vole or mouse to their o ffset ears which allo ws them to pin-point their prey before they dive Rain and strong winds greatly affect their ability to hunt and if the early morning is calm, they will o ften stay ou t until late morning to tr y and feed their chicks

I have seen a to tal o f 82 different bird species f rom the Common do wn to Glebe meado ws

All you just need a few spare hours and some patience. Walk the length o f the village along the river, look at the varied habitats, take the time to stop, stand still, watch, and listen and usually within a few minu tes’ nature will come to you. W ith thanks to Andrew Knight on behalf o f ACORN.

Graham Smith

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