JUNE 2025
The dry weather continues and the wet and muddy patches on paths have dried up. It is amazing how quickly the shoots of the bracken grow, and the brown areas will once again be covered by the large green fronds. It is good to have a report of a cuckoo which has been both seen and heard on Pound Common on 27th April an around Red House Common.
The cattle are on the combined lower commons again and have free roaming including crossing roads. Yellow signs have been posted to advise this so please be aware that they may be on the roads.
What to look out for on the Commons this month.
With the lovely sunny weather there are sightings of adders basking and moving across the open grass areas especially on Memorial Common so please take care when walking and keep dogs under close control as a bite can happen very quickly.
Spring birds are now being heard so listen out for the garden warbler with its long rambling warble. Whitethroats and blackcaps are also being heard, identified with a much shorter trill, sweet sounding and high pitch. Heathland is the habitat for stonechats, and these have a distinct clicking call sounding like two pebbles being hit together.
We are always grateful to hear of sightings so please send them by email to sightings@chaileycommons.org.uk.
Wildlife refuges
The three summer wildlife refuges are well established on Memorial and Red House commons. The heathland on the common is a particularly valuable habitat for many rare, ground nesting birds including the elusive nightjar, as well as reptiles such as adders and lizards.
Signs have been posted along the boundaries so sticking to the main paths which are still open and keeping dogs under close control during the summer can make a significant difference to their breeding success. Refuges will open back up again in the autumn when the breeding season is over.
~ Upcoming events - all welcome:
Nightjars walk, 12th June, 9.30 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Butterfly and Bird Walk, Saturday, 12th July, 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Romany Ridge.
For further information, visit our website – www.chaileycommons.org.uk
or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/chaileycommons/ or friendsofmarkstakescommon.weebly.com or contact William Coleman 01444 831098