The RSPB Community

My Favourite Duck

Howard Vaughan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:38:00 GMT

Pintail really is my favourite in all ways feathery! They are elegant and sophisticated, posseesing a certain grace lacking in the more gregarious species. Listen hard when yuo have a mixed dabbling duck flock in front and you will be able to pick out the croaking quack of Gadwall, the 'plib, plib' of Teal, the whistling of the Wigeon (who all go' teal' if you listen!) and there amongst them the almost liquid 'ploop' of the Pintail.... like a Teal under water! Magic!

...and just for once there is no witty aside about being very tasty! Honest guv! Never tried one!

Cracking shot by Chris Lowe

yet...

Oh deer! It's very white

Pete Short — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:13:00 GMT

Nice and bright today which enabled us to get out and do a quick assessment of the conditions for the wildfowl on the reserves foreshore. Highlights in bird terms were a bar tailed godwit, ring tailed hen harrier, 3 marsh harriers and a couple of geese that were probably beans. 80 skylarks were on the fields next to the reserve and I had a merlin near the roadside near Swinefleet which had started to pluck some poor unfortunate.

A few snapshots of the deer showed just how much snow we still have here on site! The stag is a stunning animal and currently running with 'our' doe and her two well grown young from last year.

This weekend...will you be seeing red?

lucinda — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:42:00 GMT

...or maybe a bit of grey will be more your colour this weekend?

This week, our Wildlife Enquiries team have been inundated with queries about these beautiful birds - redwings and fieldfares. So if these birds are now as familiar to you as your usual robin and blackbird, you're not alone.

You see, they might be regular winter visitors, but as they can usually find enough food in the countryside to keep them going they don't really need to bother us humans in their search for juicy bites to eat. However, with the cold weather that's been circulating round the UK recently, these delightful birds have been quite literally flocking into gardens. Making them much more visible to everyone.

So this weekend, keep an eye out for both of these great-looking birds. It might just be your best chance to spot them before they start preparations for their journey back home.

Do let me know if you spot any fieldfares or redwings this weekend. Just leave me a comment below.

Step up to save nature! Tell the Chancellor NO to damaging developments.

Martin Abrams — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:36:45 GMT

To all Nature's Heroes,

As well as telling us how much more we’ll have to pay for a pint of beer or a litre of petrol, the UK Budget on 21 March may prove to be one of the most significant moments the environment has faced in more than three decades.

In 2011, the Chancellor described hard-won legal protections for our most precious wildlife sites, as a “ridiculous cost on British business”. Here's hoping that he had a good break over Christmas, feels refreshed and will take a different view in 2012.

We accept that the Chancellor needs to deliver economic growth and create jobs in the face of an enormous economic challenge. What we do not accept, and will never accept, is that the environment is a barrier to success.

Instead of environmentally destructive and high carbon, how about sustainable growth that acknowledges the value of the natural world that sustains us? Instead of a Thames Estuary Airport that will destroy areas internationally acknowledged as important for wildlife and blow any chance we have of meeting our commitments to help avoid catastrophic climate change, how about the Chancellor looking to the London Gateway port development as an example of how infrastructure projects should be done?

Step up for nature and e-mail the Chancellor today. Urge him to use his Budget statement on 21 March to put the environment at the heart of the UK’s economic recovery.

Please circulate this to as many of your social media contacts and networks as possible before the Budget statement on 21 March 2012, on twitter please use the hashtag #NoEstuaryAirport.

Thanks

Martin Abrams

Wet & Wild!

Paul — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:13:49 GMT

Despite the title of the blog, last Sunday started early and icy in Forsinard. After a bit of a drive and dodging a couple of rain showers I found myself, along with our three residential volunteers (Mark, Martin and Will), in Gordon Memorial Hall in Rosemarkie on the Black Isle. Why you might ask...because it was World Wetland Day!

Blanket bog might not be what you would normally consider to be a “wetland” in the sense of mudflats or salt marsh and many of the other displays in the hall talked about RSPB coastal reserves. However the Forsinard reserve is a VERY wet location (as the volunteers can testify!) and therefore we felt justified in being there.

Boosting bogs
At Forsinard we are managing the blanket bog for special flora and fauna, including waders and water birds. We are looking after existing bog, while restoring areas of drained bog by blocking hill drains. We are also converting forestry back to blanket bog by removing conifer plantations.

Working with water
We are working to enhance the reserve’s pools for the benefit of waterfowl, including black-throated diver and common scoter, as well as plants, fish and invertebrates. Work includes reinstating water levels and improving water quality.

So Sunday was an opportunity to talk about the Forsinard reserve to a wider audiance and to have some fun. The children (and several adults) got involved in environmental games and learned a bit about the amazing wetlands that we have in the north of Scotland. We hope that all our visitors had a fun and exciting day, the staff and volunteers definately had a great time. Watch out for more events in the north of Scotland soon!

RSPB Staff & Volunteers along with our friends from Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) at Gordon Memorial Hall for World Wetlands Day.

If you love nature, enjoy it with us! | Find more information on events and facilities at RSPB Forsinard Flows by visiting www.rspb.org.uk/Forsinard

Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 10.02.2012

Stephen Couch — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:45:00 GMT

Despite a brief thaw early in the week, it's remained very cold at the reserve here in Somerset and it's giving the wildlife a tough time of it. Groups of wildfowl have congregated in areas in front of the first viewing platform and within the Waltons section and kept some of the water, ice free. This has offered good views to visitors, with a wide selection on show including: Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon and good numbers of Shoveler. 2 Pintail were also seen in amongst the groups on Monday.

There have been several Bittern sightings this week - in front of the first platform has proved particularly fruitful, with two reported last Saturday and then another seen on both Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. No more Booming has been heard this week - the drop in temperature may have had some influence - the birds probably have other things on their minds at the moment - like Where's my next meal coming from?

Anyone got an icebreaker? Photo: John Crispin

Marsh Harriers have again been showing well all week. Fantastic views of the male have been had from within Waltons and from the first viewing platform every day, while the female has been seen from the same locations but also spends time out hunting over the north of the reserve - more distant from the two viewing platforms. On Monday a visiting couple had great views of both from the first viewing platform, saw a bittern in flight and were able to watch a Great White Egret feeding on the edge of the ice for some time - they went away looking very satisfied.

The Great White Egrets are seen daily (In front of the first viewing platform on a daily basis). One was present for pretty much the whole day on Thursday and was also present this morning. Up to 8 were seen together in front of Noah's hide at Shapwick Heath, next door to our reserve along with a Crane last weekend, so the local area continues to be very popular with the Great Whites - will they decide to stay on when spring arrives? You never know.

The best sighting of the week came yesterday (Thurs 9th Feb) when myself and 2 volunteers flushed 4 Short Eared Owls while undertaking scrub cutting & burning in Phase 1 of the reserve. This is the currently the dry area in front of the 2nd viewing platform (the Rejuvenation Project Area). Three were flushed together before a fourth on flew up and across in front of us giving great views. One of the original 3, was then seen circling up quite high. Below this was a buzzard also circling and below this a Sparrowhawk showing the same behaviour. This continued for a minute or so until the Sparrowhawk started having a bit of a go at the buzzard and disrupted the spectacle. Would of made an interesting photo (alas no cameras present). There have been several other sightings of Sparrowhawk this week including this morning on the railway line between the first viewing platform and the small bridge, which crosses into Loxtons. It flew up the track and then perched up giving Ray Summers, the Warden, a great profile view.

Barn Owls have also been seen this week. Two sightings on Monday - the first being on the far north of the reserve flying out of one of the Barn Owl boxes, the second was seen perched close to the boxes in Central Wood - diagonally right of the first viewing platform. We recently made 3 more boxes for them. One came down on the reserve a couple of weeks - unfortunately, it was the box in which owls have bred almost every year (including last year) so a replacement was definitely in order. The other two will go out to Tinneys Ground which is an outlying plot we manage on the Sharpham to Walton road. One of the other boxes on the reserve has been requisitioned by a Grey Squirrel, who has been seen popping in and out of the box on a couple of occasions - guess it's a good hibernation hole but not quite the purpose we had originally intended.

Also on the reserve this week: male Bullfinch in trees next to the first viewing platform, Kingfisher in Waltons perched on reeds directly in front of the third screen and also seen flying up the ditch/rhyne to the west of Waltons half an hour previously, a superb looking male Stonechat out on the northern side of the reserve (Feeding on reedmace seed heads, along with a large mixed Tit flock), Green Woodpecker seen on Thursday, up to 5 roe deer at various locations, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, and Great Crested Grebes.

Starlings are still here in good numbers (Starling Hotline still in operation - for latest known roost location call 07866 554142) - the main bulk has tended towards Shapwick Heath this week but groups have come into Ham Wall. The Warden had his own private showing on Weds night and he said they put on quite a nice show. As well as enjoying a nice wildlife spectacle you can enjoy the picturesque scenery and peace & quiet (apart from the odd helicopter) and on the right morning or evening great shots like this can be had.

Thanks to Sammy Fraser for the photo.

Have a good weekend!

Steve

New to Nature free family friendly event Saturday 11th Feb- Sunday 19th Feb

Sammy, People Engagement Volunteer — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:43:00 GMT

Are you ‘New to Nature’? Enjoy being out in the fresh air and visiting new places? Want to learn more about the wildlife on your doorstep? Then you’re in luck!

From Saturday 11^th February to Sunday 19^th February 10:00am till 1:00pm RSPB staff and volunteers will be at Greylake nature reserve to help you learn more about the fantastic wildlife and landscapes the reserve has to offer. The event is family friendly with a ‘Wildlife Detectives Trail’ and guides in the hide to help you learn more about the large numbers of birds that congregate outside the hide.

Photo: Lynne Newton

Greylake now has a new reedbed loop and viewing screen so for any of you feeling energetic and want to explore further this free event is just for you!

Another Gull ID Day reminder for Feb 11th!

Howard Vaughan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:34:00 GMT

A virtual journey - some technical stuff behind the scenes

Ian Fisher — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With all of these exciting posts from the field, I thought it was time to give a bit more detail on what goes on behind the scenes to manage our Species Recovery work – now that you know how we went about deciding which species to work on in the first place.

The scale of our ambition for helping species is breathtaking, and each has a road to recovery – a virtual journey along what we call the Species Recovery Curve. This curve is a simple means of representing the route from potential disaster to sustainable footing. There are four stages, each broken into three sections: diagnosis (where we do research to find out what the problems are), solution testing (sorting out how we are doing to fix those problems), deployment (rolling out those solutions across the species' range), and sustainable management (leading to secure conservation status). And throughout, monitoring so that we can measure what is going on.

The starting point, route taken and length of the journey differs between species, often with unexpected twists and turns along the way. And you'll notice that for much of the first three phases, the population is usually still falling – a pretty scary time!

We currently have species all along the curve at different stages. Azores bullfinch and Seychelles magpie robin have made it right across and are thankfully safely under sustainable management. Gyps vultures in Asia (see posts from Ananya and Toby) started in the late 1990s right at the beginning of the curve, with the cause of decline a mystery, but are now well into deployment of solutions – from banning of diclofenac for veterinary use to captive breeding programmes. The Montserrat oriole (see posts from Steffen) is stuck at the end of the diagnosis phase – we know what the problems are, but how can we provide a solution to bad weather and a bad-tempered active volcano?

If you would like to find out more about the curve and species recovery strategy, see Safeguarding Species that describes our UK work. More on international to follow.

Back soon, Ian.

For technical info on species, see the BirdLife Data Zone:
Azores bullfinch
Seychelles magpie robin
Montserrat oriole

What do we think about Rio+20?

MartinHarper — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:59:00 GMT

In June this year, twenty years on from the original Earth Summit, a UN conference on sustainable development will take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The UK Environment Secretary gave an overview of preparations for this conference yesterday and you can read a copy of her speech here.

I know that many hearts will sink at the thought of politicians gallivanting half way round the world to take stock of the state of the planet and humanity. The facts are plain for all to see: we are still losing 6 million hectares of tropical forest a year, global greenhouse gas emissions are still rising and nearly a billion people go to bed hungry every night.

We could easily conclude that we are treating our planet with disdain and that too many of our own species are living in extreme poverty.

But while I may be disappointed by the lack of ambition set out in the agenda for Rio and while some may be sceptical about whether anything concrete will emerge, I still believe that we should mark these anniversaries with debate, discussion and revelation about the ecological crisis that we are undoubtedly in. And we then need to galvanise the political leadership into action. In fact, if we can't make world leaders step up for nature, we are all in serious trouble.

Any government may choose to duck the big environmental challenges, in the mistaken belief that saving nature is incompatible with the electoral imperatives of growth and jobs. But it will also isolate itself from a large body of opinion which understands that the earth's resources are finite and that short term problems must be addressed within the context of 'sustainability'. A government ignoring Rio would also risk portraying the UK as Little Englanders - rather than global leaders.

This year’s summit allows us a moment to take stock and reflect on the gap between political ambitions (for saving nature, tackling climate change and ending poverty) and reality.

It should sober us all up. We need something - anything - to shake us out of our drunken, ecologically destructive development agenda.

So when Rio comes, alas squeezed between the great festivals of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, let’s take a moment to think about our world, with all its natural wonders, and the role that each and every one us can play in saving it.

And my message to the Prime Minister is simple – find the time, go to Rio and commit to doing more. Lead by example and show the rest of us that it matters. And then actually get on and do it!

And, Mr Cameron, before you book your flight to Rio...

...Reclaim the concept of sustainable development. Quite rightly, the Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, has argued that ours must be the first generation to leave the natural world in a better state than we found it. And this means...

...understanding and respecting environmental limits. At home this means finding the finances to implement the ambition of the Natural Environment White Paper and to save threatened wildlife on our Overseas Territories. Rio+20 provides an opportunity for the Government to show off a little bit and talk about the UK National Ecosystems Assessment. This groundbreaking work makes the case that we undervalue the environment in decision making and that nature provides the basis for our well-being. And finally...

...set out to work with other Heads of State to announce a target on deforestation, with the aim of halting it entirely by 2020. Say it, own it and then do something about it.

Mrs Spelman was unable to confirm or deny Mr Cameron’s participation yesterday. With the greatest to respect to environment secretaries around the world, I am convinced that change will only come if leaders of states come together to agree action.

Do you agree? What did you think about Mrs Spelman’s speech?

It would be great to hear your views.

Good news on the peat-free front

Adrian Thomas — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

One of the problems of going ‘peat-free’ has always been the raising of seeds and cuttings. Gardeners all knew how to get the best results using peat, and there’s no denying that it is a really reliable and consistent growing medium.

In contrast, peat-free products tend to be variable in terms of their ingredients and consistency, and getting the same results as in peat can be hit and miss.

Last year I did my own little homespun peat-free trial on the blog, and got pretty good results. This year, there are two very pleasing big steps forward to report.

The first is that the company New Horizon has formulated the first specific peat-free seed and cutting compost that I’m aware of. I managed to pick up three bags at a garden centre last week.

And the second is that the Royal Horticultural Society has done some proper tests, which they report on in the February edition of The Garden magazine. In it, they show that coir-based composts are probably best for seed sowing, but are improved even further if vermiculite is added, one part to every eight parts of compost.

They also showed that coir-based or green waste-based composts, with one part in ten perlite added, make great cuttings composts.

With seed sowing season looming, here’s to us all having the most successful peat-free year yet.

A celebrity visit to Drumpellier Country Park

rhian evans — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:43:54 GMT

After managing to sneak off my radio tracking radar no more than a week after being released in Fife, an old friend has finally made an apperance!

On the eve of the day that Ireland were to take on Wales in the first game of this year's 6 nations tournament, the Irish white-tailed eagle of north Aberdeenshire fame was spotted at Drumpellier Country Park in Lanarkshire!! Everyone is pleased to see that despite everything he's been through he's doing great, and appears to be making his way slowly but surely west...back to the Emerald Isle maybe?

Thank you to the rangers Jamie and Jackie at Drumpellier for getting in touch with the sightings and for taking some great pictures!

Keep your eyes peeled if you live in this area!

Photos to follow....

Fox Sweep

Howard Vaughan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:03:51 GMT

With the predator proof fence going live and crackly today the wardening team along with a host of volunteers and other staff systematically swept (and no I do not mean with a brush!) the whole of Aveley Marsh inside the fence with the aim of flushing out any Foxes that were still lurking inside. Seems to have gone very well and two foxes were encouraged to move beyond the fence. However, if you see a fox on the inside in the next couple of weeks please let us know immediately so that another sweep can be organised. we will be monitoring the situation.

Bobbing Slavs

Howard Vaughan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:23:32 GMT

Brenda got some video of the cute little Slavonian Grebes yesterday. they took shelter in the calm waters at the mouth of the Mar Dyke and allowed a pretty close approach. Dave McGough also got some more great shots! They were not around today but the Goosander was still to be seen. Was not in today so not much more to offer I'm afraid!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Short And Sweet !

Dave Simmonite — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:53:14 GMT

Evenin readers :-)

Not many visitors to Old moor today and the sightings obviously reflect this ...

In other words there aren't many ;-)

The Bittern Hide lived up to its' name today as a buzzard and a sparrowhawk were seen there !!

The Mere had 22 goosanders, male and female goldeneyes, gadwalls, wigeons, tufted ducks, mallards, and grey partridges ..

There were 2 song thrushes seen in the Bird Garden along with redwings, wrens, a great spotted woodpecker and a sparrrowhawk ..

So there you go ... Short and sweet tonight ...

A bit like Mel !! ...

Have a great evening friends ....

Bert xxx

New Visitors at Glaslyn / Ymwelwyr Newydd i Safle Glaslyn

Geraint Williams — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:30:16 GMT

Fersiwn iaith Gymraeg islaw / Welsh language version below

February 5^th

With even colder weather we have been lucky here in the Valley as we have (as yet) not had the snow, although we had no water for tea one day as the water pipes had frozen! However, the little birds seem to be making the most of the feeders and the House Sparrows have even been bringing nesting material into the hide. The Wren also looked as though she was on the lookout for a nesting site in the hide!

We have had some new visitors this week – hopping along the ground in front of the shop were two Meadow Pipits. The Merlin was seen skimming the riverbank searching for prey and the Sparrowhawk gave a brilliant display directly over the hide on Sunday. Fortunately this time the Mistle Thrush evaded capture. We also had a very brief glimpse of a small mammal collecting the seed from beneath the feeders on the riverbank – we hope it returns so we can have a better views next time.

Rhew ar ymyl yr Afon Glaslyn / River Glaslyn's icy edges

5 Chwefror

Gyda’r tywydd yn troi’n oerach fyth r’yn ni wedi bod yn lwcus iawn yma yn y Dyffryn gan nad ydym (hyd yma) wedi cael unrhyw eira, er doedd dim dŵr ganddom ni i wneud tê un diwrnod oherwydd bod y pibellau dŵr wedi rhewi! Fodd bynnag, mae’r adar bach ‘di bod yn manteisio ar yr hadau yn ein bwydwyr ac mae'r Adar y Tô wedi bod yn dod â deunydd nythu i mewn i'r guddfan hyd yn oed. Mae Dryw hefyd yn edrych fel pe bai’n chwilio am safle nythu yn y guddfan!

Rydym wedi cael rhywfaint o ymwelwyr newydd yr wythnos hon – yn hopio ar y gwair o flaen y siop oedd dau Gorhedydd y Waun. Gwelwyd Cuddyll Bach yn sgimio lan yr afon yn chwilio am fwyd a rhoddodd y Gwalch Glas arddangosfa wych reit uwchben y guddfan ar ddydd Sul. Trwy lwc, fe lwyddodd y Brych y Coed i ddianc rhagddo tro ‘ma. Cawsom ni gipolwg sydyn iawn ar famal bach yn casglu'r hadau o dan y bwydwyr ar lan yr afon. Gobeithio daw e’ nol cyn hir i ni gael gwell golwg ohono.

Ice, ice baby! Iceland/Kumlien's gull at Frampton.

Simon Wilson — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Hello,

Yeterday an Iceland gull dropped in to the reedbed at RSPB Frampton Marsh. This winter visitor from Greenland or Canada (not Iceland!) caused quite a bit of excitement for those of us that are excited by big white gulls!

After much deliberation by local experts and the county recorder, it was decided that this particular bird was an Iceland gull that showed characteristics of Kumlien's gull.

Today, the same bird dropped into the same spot on the reedbed at the same time (3pm on the dot!) More experts spent a while observing the gull, only to decide that it is a Kumlien's gull until anyone can prove it isnt!

The bird was seen on Monday and Tuesday too, but not reported to me.

Are you a gull expert? Can you tell your Iceland from your Kumlien's? If so why not visit RSPB Frampton Marsh this weekend?

There are also 3 species of swan, white-fronts, a scaup, hen harrier, merlin and whatever else you might find!

Cheers,

Simon.

Stepping Up for the Thames

Andre Farrar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:53:04 GMT

The idea to build a major airport in the Thames is nothing new - the first suggestions came just after the Second World War. The latest wheeze would see four runways built on Kent's Isle of Grain, spilling over into the estuary itself with supporting infrastructure cutting through Kent and Essex. The concept is in the public mind now as a means of forcing the agenda for a Government review of aviation that will kick off in March.

There will be future opportunities for you to have your say - but you can start now - read about the case here and do, please, consider helping. Here's how.

Follow me on twitter

Make like a tree with LEAF...

Kathryn Smith — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:51:00 GMT

I lose track of the number of acronyms I come across every day, but there are some that are more memorable than others in this business. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is one of them.

As an organisation, LEAF work to promote the integration of environmental protection into farming and understandably we cross paths with LEAF, and LEAF farmers, on a fairly regular basis. Robert Kynaston, Nature of Farming Award (or NoFA!) winner for the Midlands region in 2011, is a great example of one of those LEAF-y farmers who has taken up measures in environmental schemes that we like to call 'The Big Three' (no acronym for that one!). Purely and simply, The Big Three provides all that farmland birds need to thrive - seed food through the winter, flower-rich habitats to support insects in the summer and in-field nesting sites. This principle is incorporated into the Farmland Bird Package (or FBP), which our expert advisors are helping farmers to build into agri-environment schemes (AES) to really benefit wildlife on their farms.

Each year, LEAF organise Open Farm Sunday (or OFS!) where farmers open their gates to the public and encourage them to learn more about where their food comes from. If you're a farmer and you're interested in hosting an event this June, LEAF are organising some events to help you get the most out of it - find out more here to see if there's one near you.

If you're not a farmer, why not go along to an OFS event and see if your local LEAF farmer is delivering the FBP, entered into NoFA or in an AES!

Some of the things to keep an eye out for include:

Skylark plots for nesting (image by Chris Tomson)

Cultivated margins for summer food (photo from Natural England)

And wild bird seed mixtures for winter food (Picture by Richard Winspear)

More information on all these options, practical advice on how to manage them and the real difference they can make for farmland bird populations can be found here.

There's snow place like Blacktoft

Pete Short — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:31:21 GMT

Looking out of the window its snowing like billy 'o' and I'm none too pleased about it too. A quick look around the reserve this morning managed to confirm that despite the current conditions a few bearded tits are surviving and that at least a single water pipit and water rail are finding a bit of food along the freshly de-iced tidal feeder ditch. Also great to see Eddie on the reserve today, you just cannot stop him comming out to enjoy the site, snow, wind or rain.

Of course birds are rather tough despite us often worrying about them but they could have certainly done without another layer of snow. Hopefully it will soon pass and the site will de-ice for next week.

As per the last blog the reserve is still open but conditions are poor and the hides are cold with only a few birds to see at the moment. Its of course your choice but if you visit expect a thick layer of snow on both the paths and in the car park!

For those loyal Blacktoftonians who are wondering what the reserve looks like at the moment here are a few snapshots! It is you have to admit rather beautiful in a bleak romantic sort of way!

Also for anyone worried about the Koniks, don't - they are absolutely loving it and are in their very own Polish winter element! Strangely they need a bit of hard living to help them avoid health problems during the summer so this bit of chill is doing them the world of good. Never seen them look so dapper.

Amazing! Just had the local ice cream van drive past the office in a total blizzard. You have to laugh! - Anyway must go and get home before I'm stuck.

In front of Ousefleet hide!

Bittern pools

Butter would'nt melt!

Ice crystals on the reed the other day!

February update

David Flumm — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:25:00 GMT

In spite of the mild climate here in the south west, we haven't completely escaped the cold weather and the marsh has frozen over on several occasions in January and February. Fortunately, the week we spent opening up the network of channels in the reedbeds with our amphibious 'Truxor' remained ice-free and we completed the work without mishap. Our trusty volunteers are now busy clearing up after the cut, mostly burning the cut reeds - when weather permits. Our other major work, removing invasive willow scrub from the flooded reedbeds, however, has been curtailed due to the nesting herons. We have between seven and eight active nests at the moment but lately the birds have been disturbed by helicopters flying directly overhead. I have written to RNAS Culdrose about this and we await their reply but in the meantime if you witness any disturbance from these please do contact me.

Up to three Bitterns have been sighted since the above work took place but if the current cold snap continues we should expect more; after all we had seven here last winter! There are a number of Chiffchaffs also using the cut areas and any small bird you see flitting through the reedbeds at the water's edge is either likely to be this species, or a Blue Tit at the moment. The increase in open water brought about by the cutting has also attracted up to 70 Teal and a few Gadwall, Shoveler and Mallard. The Mute Swans have moved in and are staking out their territories as I write and we appear to have about four pairs here again this season.

With Swallows reported from Helston, Truro and Porth Leven recently, we may not have much longer to wait for spring to arrive - or were these simply over-wintering birds that had remained elusive until recently?

Winter arrives

Mark Brandon — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:22:00 GMT

The reserve looks a lot different now then when I last posted a blog , as the winter weather finally arrived in force. We had over 6 inches of snow at the weekend and there is still a lot of laying snow that has frozen, making the paths very icy and slippery. We have put up signs advising against walking on the reserve until we have a thaw. The flock of chaffinches and greenfinches under the feeders is building up nicely; we are supplementing the feeding by spreading extra seed on the ground in the area. Still to spot a brambling amongst the flock this year, but we keep hoping! Other sightings include a couple of siskins which flew over near the hide today and the pair of ravens are still calling around The Lodge and new heath. Even in the hard weather, great tits, robins and dunnocks are continuing to sing, with an eye on attracting a partner for the breeding season- which is around the corner.

This Saturday we have our 'Make a Nest box' event, which ties in with National Nestbox Week. We run another one next Wednesday during half-term. Children and youngsters can assemble a nest box to take home and put up to attract and help breeding bird in their own gardens. We also set up a trail, where the idea is to put the correct bird with the picture of the nest box that it would actually use.You can call The Lodge shop on 01767 680541 for more information and prices if you would like to book a place.

February update

David Flumm — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:02:55 GMT

On the bird-front, gulls appear to be stealing the show this month with Iceland, Yellow-legged and a number of Med Gulls at Lelant Water and Carnsew Pool. The recent cold snap hasn't brought the anticipated influx of wildfowl and waders - yet.

Our hide at Ryan's Field continues to receive attacks from vandals and although we have painted over the graffiti shown on our recent photos - three times now - it appears this will be an ongoing activity until the police apprehend the culprits.

On Sunday, 12th February we are meeting at Copperhouse Creek in the town for our bi-monthly litter pick there. Perhaps as an enticement, we enjoyed the sight of a Crane over our heads on the last litter pick (at Carnsew) in January; we hope to see you there!

Dave Flumm

Site Manager

‘Slim Pickins’ - 9th Feb 2012

John & Judith Rogers — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:02:00 GMT

A noticeable feature of the last two weeks has been the large flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws (up to 80), assembling on Campfield saltmarsh, around the high tide - obviously intent on the debris, both vegetable and animal, left by the recent high tides.

Our local Crows, mixing amongst them, strutting about importantly in a sort of quasi policing role - as they do with anything that approaches ‘their’ saltmarsh. The Rooks and Jackdaws are obviously here because of the hard ground elsewhere due to the recent heavy frosts. The Rooks probably come from the two large rookeries nearby and the Jackdaws from the local ‘Jackanory’ or whatever you call them.

Glad to know that the saltmarsh and estuary are a good fallback for inland birds in hard times.

8th Feb, Corvids scavenging on the Saltmarsh.

Picking amongst the debris left by the high tide.

9th February, Corvids still there in the mist - joined by Pheasants

We're opening late on Sunday

Louise Moss — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Don't miss out!

On Sunday 12 February we are going to be opening later! You asked us to open later so the Draper and Lapwing hides will be open until 6.30pm!

John Bridges (rspb-images.com)

No guarentees that the barn owls will be seen though!

What will we see?