A date with nature

Clashing antlers and exhausted stags

2009-12-22T11:19:00Z

It might have just been another day in the office for James McComiskey, our Date with Nature officer at Westleton Heath, but for everyone else who visited the rutting red deer on the heath, it was far from normal! Sadly, we've now packed up our watchpoint, but for those who missed it James sent me this report:

'Whoa! The rut has ended, leaving a few exhausted stags to recuperate… not to mention the RSPB team!

Almost 3,500 people passed through Westleton Heath this autumn to enjoy the majestic sights and sounds of the annual red deer rut. Visitors were wowed by glorious stags, who spent much of October defending their harems of hinds against rivals. Several large males battled for dominance on the heath this year, providing regular views of clashing antlers.

With plenty of 'ooooh's' and 'ahhhh's' from our guests, it was certainly an experience they will never forget. Atmospheric bellowing, delivered by the stags, was also heard on most days.

There was plenty of other wildlife to enjoy, too. The reserves' stone-curlews, with their googly eyes and beautiful calls, made regular appearances during the beginning of October, producing beaming smiles from our visitors. There were also regular sightings of little owl, sparrowhawk, kestrel, Dartford warbler, fox, and muntjac deer.

But don't just take my word for how great this event was! I'll leave you with some comments from our visitor book:

'Great event, will definitely come back next year'
'What a wonderful opportunity for us and the children'
'We really enjoyed hearing the deer and seeing them strut their stuff.'
'GREAT! A once in a lifetime adventure! I will return soon.'
'Great Show! Plenty of stags charging about, we witnessed one good fight!'

Our East of England team will be running more events throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for more Dates near you. Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund for making these Dates possible.

Westonbirt date to close early

2009-10-15T09:09:00Z

Unfortunately, a parasite called trichomoniasis has affected some of the birds at the Westonbirt Arboretum feeding station. Following our advice, the Arboretum has removed all food from the feeding area for October and November, to try and prevent the spread of the parasite.

This has led us to close our project earlier than planned - our final day will be 25 October. But until then, we still have friendly staff and volunteers onsite in the Education centre with children's activities, educational toys and a chance to learn all about the birds of Westonbirt and our work.

Glaslyn, Glesni and Gwenlli head for Africa

2009-09-17T14:55:00Z

What a relief! All three chicks from this year's nest appear to have left Glaslyn for Africa along with their parents, all safe and sound.

Local school children were asked to suggest names for the fledglings, and project staff chose 'Glaslyn, Glesni and Gwenlli' suggested by Euon Parry, from Ysgol Rhos Gadfan. A further six schools enjoyed visits from project staff who gave talks about ospreys and the other wildlife found in the area. Following on from this, 200 school children visited the site to see the ospreys in the flesh, and to join in with the activities on offer.

The team of staff and forty volunteers welcomed over 30,000 visitors to the site, all of who enjoyed great views of these fascinating fish eating raptors, and heard about their ecology and behaviour during the regular talks given in the centre.

The following quote sums up the visitor experience nicely:

'We made two visits to the Osprey Project at Glaslyn … and got some great views of a male on his favourite tree …The volunteers were enthusiastic and very engaging! My kids enjoyed seeing the tiny swallows in the hide nest too! And I thought the treasure hunt was a great idea for bored kids waiting to spot an osprey!'

The project officer is now taking a well-earned rest for a couple of months, before starting back again in January to make further improvements to the site, with new trails and activities for visitors. Take a peek at the Glaslyn osprey blog to see what else has happened this year.

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2010!

Lakeland's fish breathe easy for another year

2009-09-16T08:56:00Z

.....and we've packed away our telescopes, as the Lake District ospreys that have kept us entertained over summer, have now left us.

The Lakes Osprey Project finished on 31 August. And, for the first time during the project, we had no ospreys to show anyone, which goes to show our project timings are spot on!

This year, the adult pair raised three chicks, although sadly, one was lost the day after its first flight. By now, the other two should be heading for African skies and we look forward to welcoming them back in a couple of years.

If you want to know more about what you missed this year, take a peek at the Lake District Osprey Project blog - you'll also find loads of ace photos from the project on there.

We look forward to seeing you, and the ospreys, in 2010 - though we're not too sure the fish will be so thrilled!

We Fort Birmingham was brilliant!

2009-09-15T15:17:00Z

With cameras set up in the peregrine nestbox at Fort Dunlop, we all had high hopes of witnessing the female peregrine laying eggs, hatching chicks and to see those chicks fledge.....

Unfortunately, it was not to be for 2009 as our peregrine had other ideas, and she abandoned her nest.

However, we still had a brilliant summer in Birmingham city centre, and thanks to everybody who came out to talk to us about wildlife in the city, signed pledges to stamp out illegal persecution of birds of prey and to those who (hopefully!) went away with some ideas for what they can do to help wildlife in their gardens.

Thanks, also, to all the walkers who joined us on our Wednesday lunchtime wanders - we hope to start those up again next year, as we hope that next year we'll have a peregrine family to show you!

Malham chicks fly away

2009-09-15T11:11:00Z

We breath a sigh of relief at yet another successful season at Malham Cove - four peregrine chicks in the skies, and a host of special moments.

But, at the same time, there is sadness that we won't be in the stunning surroundings of the Cove talking to visitors, or seeing the owls, redstarts, flycatchers, wheatears and, of course, peregrines that have kept us company since Easter.

We had a rather wet end to the project, and mice have nibbled much of the equipment, but 20,000 visitors have enjoyed it all the same!

So, as we say goodbye to Malham Peregrines 2009, we will be keeping an eye on the birds through winter, and look forward to welcoming you all back in 2010.

Time to leave Clock Tower peregrines

2009-09-10T10:21:00Z

It's time for us to leave the stars of the Cardiff Peregrines Date with Nature event. Although our pair failed to raise any chicks this year, that didn't stop them entertaining the crowds at City Hall Lawn and National Museum Cardiff with their aerial chases and general awe-inspiring feats.

Rebecca Clews, People Engagement Manager in Wales, takes up the story;

'14,000 visitors met with Sarah and Craig (our People Engagement Officers) who happily showed off the peregrines with the super duper pan and tilt camera set up by staff at the museum – it even had a screen wiper to beat the worst of this summers' elements!

Sarah and Craig enjoyed the amazed looks they got from visitors as they told them of the speeds these raptors can reach when giving chase to their prey, and also of the size difference between male and female birds using the 'Peregrine Prop' – a drinks bottle filled with water up to the weight of an average adult bird. It was great to see the look on the faces of young and old alike as they imagined that weight descending on them at over 100mph!

Fun for all

The staff and volunteer team enjoyed creating and performing their pantomime 'Fantastic Falcon Detectives' to an audience that booed and cheered in all the right places, while also learning about our Bird of Prey Campaign.

Our Springwatch weekend was a great success, with lots of fun had making peregrine masks to take home. Equally enjoyable were the one-hour adaptation workshops, held in the Science and Education Room of the museum, where participants played games to learn the different adaptations animals have for surviving in specific places. There was even a chance to have a go at designing their very own creature.

We hope to see you next year, along with some chicks - keep those fingers crossed!'

Phantoms of the New Forest

2009-09-07T15:08:00Z

Our date in the New Forest came to an end on the August Bank Holiday weekend. And it rounding off our busiest year since the project began in 2007, with a fantastic 22,000 visitors watching the goshawk and hobby nestcams at the Forestry Commission's New Forest Reptile Centre.

The non-stop action kicked-off in April with the surprise return of an old friend. An ex-captive female goshawk gone wild, who first appeared in 2007, made her spectacular return to our screens this year.

Two chicks hatched mid-May amidst heavy storms and high winds, knocking the female goshawk head over heels out of the nest! Sadly, the third chick only survived the first 24 hours and disappeared from the nest in bad weather.

The remaining chicks went from strength to strength, both successfully fledging late June, having proven their hunting skills by displaying their first 'catch' in front of the camera. The male goshawk was clearly a great provider for his family.

With summer progressing a-pace, next up on the webcam were the charismatic hobby pair. Two eggs were laid mid-June with one chick successfully hatching on 15 July. Rapid growth from downy chick to inquisitive juvenile in just over a month, puts this well-fed youngster in good stead for its epic trip to Africa, where it will spend winter.

Some 6,650 Bird of Prey Campaign pledges were signed over the season to help support these amazing raptors, and the New Forest team is looking forward to more incredible images next year, at what is a privileged look at the secret lives of our most elusive birds of prey.

Summer holidays over for Glasgow's swallows

2009-09-02T15:36:00Z

It's been a wet summer all across Scotland, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of John McGruther, who's been out and about in Glasgow's Pollok Park since June.

Meeting loads of people in the park's visitor centre, John has had great fun giving everyone a special insight into the lives of the swallow families that nested nearby.

In August, John ran a very popular stall at the Pollok Family Fun Day, and also attended the Glasgow Show, where the focus was on another of our summer migrants - swifts.

Thanks to everyone who helped us raise an impressive £600 over three months by buying a pin badge, the proceeds of which will go to fund our projects around Scotland, and the world.

As we say goodbye to swallows flying off to Africa this month, we thank them for our brief date, and look forward to renewing our acquaintance with them next year!

Farewell from Ironbridge

2009-09-01T15:47:00Z

This weekend saw many of our Date with Nature projects come to an end. However, our date with the birds of Ironbridge must be one of the few where there really was a bird to suit all tastes!

Sharon Boardman, Midland Region People Engagement Officer, tells us more:

'We've had a great season this year at Ironbridge - have met hundreds of people and chatted to them about not only the wildlife at the gorge, but also the history of the famous and historical Iron bridge.

Since this date with nature project began, we have been lucky to see a huge range of species, including; glossy black-capped marsh tits, and small, untidy willow tits, the very attractive but hard to see wood warbler, as well as nuthatches. We've been visited by bright pinkish-red breasted bullfinches, flocks of highly-coloured and sociable goldfinches, been dazzled by the aerial antics of swifts, swallows and house martins, plus been lucky enough to catch sight of the unmistakable bright blue and orange flash of the local kingfishers. For anyone that loves birds of prey, we saw peregrines, sparrowhawks, and buzzards gliding and soaring above our viewpoint, and heard the repetitive song of a song thrush,... plus saw a few grey squirrels!

We are looking to be back at this great site next year - and we hope you will join us!'

The kittiwakes of Splash Point

2009-08-20T08:40:00Z

As the kittiwakes at Splash Point start to leave the cliff face that has been their home for the past few months, Kate Whitton, Date With Nature organiser at RSPB South East, gives us an update on their progress:

'Although we didn't manage to do a colony count this year, from what we could see the kittiwakes seem to have had a good crop of youngsters, with many adults fledging at least one chick.

Unlike last year, the heat doesn't seem to have affected them too much this year - which is a relief, although the crows were seen on many occasions harrying the chicks as they sat in their nests.

But it hasn't all been kittiwakes - we have had wonderful views of a peregrine family. Two adults have been stooping off the cliff, and their two youngsters have been alarming the colony, sometimes preventing adult kittiwakes from landing back on the cliff by sitting on the kittiwake nests!

We have had sightings of gannet and common scoter from our viewpoint, as well as watching the antics of nesting rock pipits.

The kittiwake youngsters were mostly fully grown by mid-July, and the whole colony seemed to be ready to depart back out to sea by the end of our time here.

I'm sure that this year they started to nest a bit earlier than normal, as when we started the project there weren't lots of fluffy chicks. Instead, many chicks were already starting to grow their adult feathers.

We've had a really great time watching the kittiwakes - thanks to all of you who came and said 'hi'. And for those who didn't make it down our way - we hope to see you in 2010.'

Flying solo

2009-08-18T15:44:00Z

As the only chick to hatch from a clutch of two, the New Forest hobby youngster has had it easy up until now - being waited on beak and claw by attentive parents. But that's all about to change now that our youngster has finally left the nest.

Having been lavished with food and attention, this lone fledgling has grown from cute ball of fluff to nearly independent adult, in only a couple of weeks.

Leaving the nest on Friday was a big step in this hobbies life, as it means he (although it might be a she - the sexes aren't as clear as in other birds of prey) is nearly ready to make his first long-haul flight to stay the winter in Africa – a journey he'll do all on his own!

We reckon the young bird will stay around the nest for a few more weeks, so be sure to pop down to see us at the New Forest Reptile Centre, near Lyndhurst before this bird sets off on a remarkable journey.

Does your brood fancy a date with nature?

2009-08-11T08:28:00Z

Every parent knows youngsters can be demanding, especially at this time of year.

So, if you're looking for ways to alleviate school holiday boredom, look no further as we invite you to witness some of Kent's wild birds as they wrestle to meet the demands of their own offspring.

Waterbirds at Leeds Castle includes a cast of young great crested grebes, moorhens and coots all hatched in June, and now engaged in the sometimes challenging task of being taught how to stand on their own webbed feet!

From this Saturday we'll be at Leeds Castle with telescopes and binoculars, to show you all the excitement during this final, crucial stage of the breeding season.

Watching juveniles perfect their feeding and flying skills on the water makes great entertainment for those watching – and gives visitors with their own demanding brood a spot of light relief.

Come and introduce your own brood to the wide range of wild birds and their young at Leeds Castle - you won't be disappointed.

Don't slate our choughs

2009-08-10T11:10:00Z

Before heading back out of the office to check how the Glaslyn ospreys are doing, Rebecca Clews, People Engagement Manager, had a few moments spare to tell us how the choughs at Llechwedd Slate Caverns got on this year:

'A new pair of adults kept us on tenterhooks by arriving later than usual, but quickly made up for lost time as they busily got their nest ready.

They successfully raised a brood of three that we put rings on while only a few weeks old. Due to their size, our Chough Officer suspected that we had three females.

We have continued our presence at the site into August and by chance switched the camera on one day to find both adults back at the nest tidying it up!

They were focusing on getting rid of any remaining sheep's wool – presumably, since this holds moisture and parasites more than the sticks do.

This is a good sign that they are readying themselves to come back and nest here next year – which we can’t wait for!'

Kittiwakes keep their cool

2009-07-31T10:01:00Z

Pack away the barbecue, the sunshade and the suntan lotion - the promise of a hot and sunny summer is disappearing quicker than you can put your umbrella up. But for one seabird visitor to our shores, the recent cooler temperatures have been just the ticket.

The kittiwake colony at Seaford's Splash Point, one of the most important in the South East, suffered a loss of around 200 chicks in 2006, due in part to the relentless heat that year.

This year's heatwave hit just as the chicks were starting to hatch, leading to fears that a similar situation could occur if the hot weather persisted. But the return to cooler temperatures over the past fortnight means the majority of chicks survived their crucial first few weeks in the nest.

Many are now flying high over the cliff-face colony just like their parents - perfecting their flying and fishing skills, and getting used to being young adults.

Kate Whitton, Date With Nature organiser at RSPB South East, let me know the latest from our viewpoint, 'When the tide comes in, the kittiwakes gather to bob up and down on the water. When something disturbs them, they'll rise up and wheel around back towards the cliffs, it's an incredible sight.'

And it's one that you can see too, but you'll have to hurry! Our viewpoint is only open until next Sunday. After that, there won't be much to look at as the colony begins to migrate across the Atlantic to spend the winter in seas off the Canadian coast. The adults won't be returning to Splash Point until next spring.

Kate added: 'If parents are looking for something to entertain their own brood now the school holidays are here, watching these youngsters soar across the cliffs is great fun.'