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Interesting sightings in the woodsThis page will record sitings made by members or reported to us of interesting wildlife or plants seen in the woods.
WW = Westwood, NBHW = North Benfleet Hall Wood
January 2011
Very pleasing to note that a Pied Wagtail has again returned to the area around the brook. (WW)
Several Sparrowhawks around the woods. (WW)
Range of birds (Tits etc) starting to show signs of nesting! Shows how mild it is. (WW + NBHW)
November 2011
2 Woodcock seen in Westwood in scrub by the brook (WW)
September 2011
Muntjack Deer seen in Westwood (WW)
July 2011
As June a quiet month with little out of the ordinary.
A report has been made of a Heath Fritillary in Westwood. Also seen a number of red admirals.(WW)
Towards the end of the month kestrels were heard but have not as yet been seen! (WW)
June 2011
Nothing unusual reported but plenty of small bird life in the coppiced areas
May 2011
Wagtails feeding near the clearing down path from Rayleigh Road (WW)
Several Blackbirds nesting (WW)
Blackcaps also nesting (WW)
April 2011
Report of a Woodcock being flushed out of undergrowth (WW)
First Blackcap sighted on 15th and a Brimstone butterfly - (WW)
Dunnocks have made an appearance, as well of course the full range of tits. Spotted woodpeckers around and butterflies starting to appear in the early warm weather (Brimstone, Peacocks, Whites and Commas). - (WW)
March 2011
Blue tits starting to nest, also long tailed and great tits. Woodpeckers drumming so despite the harsh winter signs are good. No butterflies yet (WW)
February 2011
As winter appears to recede, the bird song is starting. Also seen some wood mice scampering in wood piles (WW)
September 2010
Autumn is approaching, however there are still things to see. Lots of fungi and mushrooms around in West Wood.
August 2010
31st - Heard Kestrel calling again but not sighted, few butterflies around (mainly whites but including a red admiral) - (WW)
22nd August - Male Bullfinch seen on boundary of wood by Rayleigh Road - (WW) 8th August - Gatekeeper butterflies in evidence through the wood mainly along the brook area - (WW)
2nd August - Kestrel heard calling at the top end of wood near Rayleigh Road - (WW)
July 2010
20th July - 2 male white admiral butterflies. This is a first for the wood! Shows the work going on is bearing fruit.-(WW)
The woods have large numbers of butterflies around, but the heat is taking it toll on the plant life as it is very dry.
June 2010
23rd June - Very warm and Blue Tits very busy, Mistle thrush and lots of blackbirds, plenty of song from Black caps, one greater spotted woodpecker seen, more heard. Very few butterflies despite sun. - (WW)
17th June - A larger number of blackbirds more than I have seen before in West Wood, plenty of blue tits and great tits as well as 4 blackcaps. Looks like the woodpeckers have now fully fledged as no sign of then around the area of the nest. Cow wheat is now in flower but only a few butterflies around. - (WW)
8th June - Plenty of birdlife in both woods, butterflies a little sparse due to wet weather.
May 2010
24th May - Sparrowhawk circling over the woods. Lots of Blackcaps singing and also Nuthatches. Brimstone butterflies around and also Orange Tips - (WW)
23rd May - Confirm the Woodpeckers are nesting and both are going in and out of nest so possibly young have arrived. Butterflies starting to appear in numbers now it is very warm. - (WW)
17th May - Pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers appear to be nesting in West Wood, and a few Brimstone Butterflys and Orange Tips flying around - (WW)
12th May - Hawthorn starting to blossom (WW)
11th May - Crab Apple, Hawthorn and Horse Chestnut in blossom (NBHW)
11th May - Bluebells, Cowslips, Foxgloves, Campion, Stitchwort, Wood Anemones and 3 types of violet in bloom (NBHW)
11th May - Sparrowhawk overflying (NBHW)
11th May - Blackcaps, robins, wrens and long tailed tits nesting (NBHW)
4th May - Plenty of Blue and Great Tit activity, Blackbirds nest building plus a male Black Cap (WW)
April 2010
3rd April - Dunnocks, Blue Tits, Mistle Thrushes, Jays, Wrens and Robins (WW).
4th April - The wood anemones are now flowering in West Wood. Plenty of bird activity as well.
5th April - Great Tits, Blue Tits, quite a few nuthatches calling but only glimpsed one. Nesting is underway, and Blue Tits are visiting nest boxes. (WW)
12th April - Celandine now flowering in a few patches (WW)
20th April - Nuthatches, Great Tits, Blue Tits. Coma butterflys and a couple of red admirals and peacocks (WW)
25th April - Several Brimstone butterflies down by the stream (WW)
28th - Bluebells starting to flower, wood anemones still in bloom but starting to die back. Celandine still in flower and a number of other varities of wild flowers now starting to emerge. Plenty of bird activity. (WW)
March 2010
3rd March - Nuthatch seen by the stream (WW)
7th March - Pied Wagtails along the path by the stream (WW)
7th March - Long Tailed Tits (WW)
7th March - Possibly a Woodlark to the north of the stream. (WW) (If anyone else sees it please advise)
7th March - Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (WW)
14th March - Large number of Blue Tits, Jays, Wagtails by the stream, Wrens, Mistle Thrushes, Robins and Blackbirds, quite a few Greater Spotted Woodpeckers drumming. Nest building appears to be underway (WW).
14th March - Reported by a local bird watcher - 'I had 21 species in total but the more interesting ones were: At least 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, at one point I could hear 4! I heard 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Nuthatch. I saw 3 Treecreepers, several Stock Doves, a female Sparrowhawk and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker'.(WW)
22nd March - 2 Nuthatches and a Sparrow Hawk. Lots of blue tits, Jays and several Great Spotted Woodpeckers.(WW).
February 2010 Marsh Harrier seen over flying West Wood (WW)
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