Author Archives: Thomas Whitlock

Tonight was the time for my data collection at Pearmans copse woodland, which is a 9 acre site near the m4. It has managed coppiced ash, hazel and field maple and is classed as a wildlife heritage site. Unfortunately, the weather … Continue reading →

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a very social bird. It is gregarious at all seasons when feeding, often forming flocks with other types of bird.  It also roosts communally, its nests are usually grouped together in clumps, and it engages … Continue reading →

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus), is a familiar species, in part because of its affinity for human habitation. The house sparrow frequently dust-bathes, and is often seen in small groups on house roofs. Where it is fed in urban parks, it can … Continue reading →

Redhatch Copse is defined as ancient semi-natural woodland, which is composed of native tree species that have not obviously been planted. Ancient woodland is likely to have existed continuously since 1600. Looking at maps dating from the mid-1700s to present … Continue reading →

Whenever territories vary in quality in a consistent way, individual birds may develop behaviour that allows them to maximize territory quality. Individuals may settle preferentially in good territories or shift to better sites whenever possible. The benefit of this selective … Continue reading →

The Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is a rather dumpy and short-tailed woodland bird. The Nuthatch has the habit of descending tree trunks head-downwards in a jerky manner, a trait that, in the UK, is unique to the species. Its chisel like bill … Continue reading →

The final of my three survey sites was High Wood behind Bulmershe campus. It total, 25 bird species were identified in the 29 acre site. Surveying will start tomorrow on the two new field sites just added, before bird to … Continue reading →

As the same with the campus woodland, I have undertaken my 4 field study times for Maiden Erlegh, with a total of  28 bird species being identified in the 14 acre wooded site. The full list is below. 

I have completed my bird survey on all three of my original field study sites – Campus Woodland, Maiden Erlegh and High Wood – and have decided to add two more for more comparisons on bird species richness.  These are … Continue reading →

Female Magpie quality can be used to explain over 60% of the variance in clutch-size and size of eggs laid during the breeding season. Male quality accounts for over 70% of a pair’s breeding success within each breeding season. The … Continue reading →