including Beech Bottom Dyke and Sandridge Road Wastes
Earlier this year, some visitors to the Heath will have heard a woodpecker and word of a nest soon got around in May. This bird chose to make use of a hole in an ash tree and if you look carefully at the photo you will see one of the young looking out. With a large powerful beak, it looks like a great spotted woodpecker.
Remarkably, it stayed in place when a very large branch fell off the tree, which has now been cut up. The young birds have now fledged.
Photo: Keith Morgan
A Muntjac Deer was found dead by the side of Harpenden Road opposite the entrance to the old Fire Station. Both sides of the road are wooded near this area and probably provide cover for these animals., although one has been spotted running at speed along Waverley Road.
They are 10 – 18 Kg in weight and can do considerable damage in a collision with a car, particularly in this area where speeding is commonplace. Being avid browsers they can also cause a lot of damage in gardens and to trees. If you spot one we would love to have a photo.
I took this photo about 4.00 am Friday morning, 15th June. The two young Foxes sitting together passing the time. By the time l stopped they had spotted me but still a good picture. Thanks: Dave McCormack
We reported on the Oak Processionary Moth last year, which can defoliate trees, especially oak. As far as we know, none have been seen on the Heath and the nearest outbreak was in Watford. Contact with these moths should be avoided because they have irritating spines which can cause an allergic reaction. They are likely to emerge in early April.
For a fuller account of this moth, see the Forestry Commission update.
A four-year survey is under way to compile a new atlas of Hertfordshire’s mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Friends of Bernards Heath and other residents with an interest in wildlife can make a welcome contribution to the project by submitting their sightings.
Update: 21 May 2016.
David Uttig, who leads the survey on the Heath, reports that nothing of interest has been found under the mats yet. They are located at 51 45 43N 0 19 59W and 51 45 46N 0 20 9W. You can find out where these are by entering the co-ordinates into a Google maps search.
Update 4 June 2016
Two more mats have now been added in Beech Bottom Dyke at 51.46.6N 0.19.41W and 51.46.11N 0.19.35Wz