Blacktoft Sands

Mystery Wild Sounds: 7 Hides for 7 Mothers

2013-05-23T16:28:00Z

The penultimate wild sounds challenge has arrived just in time for the bank holiday weekend, with fun and enjoyment for all at Blacktoft Sands with plenty of species to see (and hear of course).

It's been a blustery couple of days on the reserve ( as demonstrated by this weeks mystery clips- they are authentic if nothing else!) but the birds have continued to put on a great show with a number of busy parents from a several species being seen gathering food around site and several of our waterfowl with youngsters in tow. The very vocal Avocets are still sitting on nests at Marshland, Marsh Harriers are performing well around the reserve with the fantastic vocal backings of the warblers heard from the trailside paths.

On site over the last few days was a Little Egret enjoying the comforts of Ousefleet lagoon and a lone Turnstone was seen from the Xerox hide. The Water Vole family have also continued to entertain intermittently from the reception hide and the Barn Owl has put in an appearance late in the day

Putting together Mystery Wild Sounds has been an ear opening experience in recording the clips and I imagine quite a comical one to watch for any onlookers who have witnessed our recording attempts as we lean as close as we can to buzzing bee’s or tiptoe closer to singing birds. Hopefully you have been enjoying listening to them as much as we have enjoyed recording them.

I’ve certainly learnt a lot and realised how much I can potentially miss if I’m not using my ears as well as my eyes. Picking up on Bearded tits amongst the vast expanse of reed can be a tricky thing but your not likely to mistake or miss the ‘ping ping ping’ as these speedy socialites flit amongst the reed.

Sound is also a fantastic thing to enjoy in regard to our more elusive species, there is nothing quite like sitting in one of the hides on an evening and enjoying the eerie booming of the Bittern or the pig like screeching of the Water Rail.

Next week will see the grand finale of our weekly Mystery Wild Sounds, so expect a big finish. We may occasionally post a special edition of Wild Sounds in the coming months, so keep your eyes ( and ears) open!

Not wanting to disappoint, here’s your next audible instalment... Happy listening!

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The Birds And The Bugs!

2013-05-22T18:02:00Z

It’s been an especially good start to the week weather wise and the insects and birds have wasted no time in taking full advantage of the sunshine and lack or precipitation.

The warblers are still showing off although it appears the Grasshopper and Sedge warblers have taken a back seat allowing the Blackcap and Whitethroat to steal the show and they really are doing a swell job. Launching themselves from the tops of trees, shrubs and dead wood piles to catch insects in flight, they have been a joy to watch from the trailside paths. Even when out of view they are certainly making themselves heard. Fancy an audible challenge? Check out our Mystery Wild Sounds blogs which have been running for the past few weeks...

The insects have been very busy so far this week not only are they feeding the many hungry mouths around the reserve but they’ve even found time to pose for the camera as this large Red Damselfly demonstrates.

Also captured on camera in the local area was this lovely Small Yellow Underwing, the first to be recorded in this part of Yorkshire.

The Bittern has been booming throughout the day with his better performances being first and last thing. He also provided some lovely views for the few lucky individuals who were in Townend hide on Sunday night as he came out to soak up the last of the sun.

Something which has been heard but not seen today is the Cuckoo producing its distinctive call but unfortunately not from a visible perch.

Bearded Tit’s are still being seen doing feeding flights with the occasional appearance towards the front of the reed, but you’ll need to be up early to catch them as nothing seems to keep them from their siesta.

Still worth scanning amongst the Black Headed Gulls as a Little Gull was seen passing over the reserve today and has been seen intermittently on the lagoons.

Hopefully the second half of the week will be just as enjoyable if not more so!

May wild photos

2013-05-19T18:37:00Z

This May we have seen and taken photos of a wonderful selection of wildlife on the reserve. Based upon todays sightings, here is a selection of my photos.

Lets start with those water voles, throughout this last week they have been entertaining visitors from the reception hut. Here is a photo of one of the young trying to hide in the bank:

Plenty of duck can be seen around including pochard, shoveler, tufted duck, little grebe, shelduck and this gargeney today.

Many of our small birds are brillant at the moment, from the warblers along the trails to those bearded tits in the morning from first. Here is a photo of some of our other small stars. First photo is our smallest star (the wren)seen just out the front of reception feeding young in a nestbox and the second photo shows our commonest birds at Blacktoft, the reed bunting.

There is plenty more action around the reserve today. Here are just a list of some of the other highlights:

Marsh harriers now doing the amazing food pass at the back of first or down at singleton.
Quite a few butterflies out and about in the sun today - orange-tip, small tortoiseshell, peacock and green-veined white.
The bittern was booming in the background throughout the day
Avocets are now sitting on eggs on marshland and moved the spoonbill quickly after it touched down briefly
A wigeon was present on xerox

For more wild photos from May, check out the gallery by clicking here. There you will find some exellent photos taken by Chirpie taken on Saturday 11th May. If you would like to share your photos with us, then please join the RSPB community, then join the blacktoft group and then add your photos to our gallery.

Mystery Sounds 6: The Fast and the Furry-ous

2013-05-17T16:48:00Z

Once again the week has flown by. Our aerial masters the swifts are still performing to a high standard, providing Blacktoft with the excitement and flare their presence guarantees; their displays are only enhanced by their enthusiastic comrades, swallow, house and sand martin.

Another enchanting sight on the reserve has been the butterfly’s with peacock, orange-tip and green-veined white whirling around, although they do stop to refuel and enjoy the sunshine periodically, as this very accommodating male orange-tip demonstrates.

The highlight of the week though is still the resident water vole family which can be seen exceptionally well from the reception hide, with at least three pups now out and about there’s never a dull moment. A particular highlight is watching the pups as they launch themselves from the bank into a sequence of forward roles ending in a somewhat anticlimactic but endearing belly flop. Of course there are other minatures now emerging on the reserve with goslings, ducklings, moorhen and coot chicks seen so far.

It’s that time of the week again so here is your audible challenge, hopefully everyone’s ear’s are now a little more in tune to their surroundings and you’re all enjoying your own sound experiences. Feel free to share any of your sounds with the team via the blog or email, or if you feel like developing your new found sense even further why not sign up to the last of our sounds guided walks tomorrow evening 7-9pm email us at blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk to book a place.

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Mystery Sound M

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Answers in the comments box below as per usual, have a good weekend folks.

Tuff times for breeding birds

2013-05-15T12:33:00Z

Certainly summer is struggling again and so are the poor old breeding birds. Only a week and a half ago things were looking fine with all the insects emerging ready to feed the hungry mouths that were all set to hatch from their safe little closeted eggshell worlds. But now duck broods are beginning to emerge and there is for the third year running no food to give them a full belly and the warmth they need to survive, typical the weather has become wet and dismally cold. Its all a bit of a worry really as we just have'nt had the summers we need for many species to do well on the reserve in recent years and this is noticeably having a major impact on their populations. And this is'nt limited to the ducks many other species from wrens to avocets don't like the cold and are just not raising the young to keep the populations healthy.

Cheered you up? Well sometimes the truth has to be told - On the other flip of the coin there has been some nice birds and wildlife around on site including the cute, bizzare and beautiful. Take for example the red legged partridge that greeted me as I walked onto the the reserve the other morning, why was it reading our tree sparrow information board? (see photo below)

And then there is our little water vole family! Yes I did say family - mam, dad and two little nippers. Talk about cute and at times ridicuously easy to see from our reception hide. Check out the picture below of one of the wee ones, he can hardly open his sleepy eyes!

All our star attractions, the marsh harriers, avocets, bearded tits and bitterns have been showing pretty well with the male bittern now taking a few more long flights around the reserve. The bearded tits, despite me bemoaning the weather are still battling on and fledging their first brood of youngsters, with adults often showing pretty well from First hide.

The swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins have been showing really well as they strive to find what few insects are available on top of the water. The warblers too can still be seen well including reed, sedge, whitethroat, blackcap, and at times the odd grasshopper warbler. Yellow wagtails have been very good recently particularly around Xerox lagoon.

Not many waders due to the westerly winds but a few black tailed godwits, ringed plover and dunlin on tide plus the odd common sandpiper.

Notable recent sightings have been a fly over skua species (probably arctic), little egret and Mediterranean gull. At least two barn owls were hunting the other evening over the reedbed in front of Singleton and Xerox hides.

A swift weekend at Blacktoft

2013-05-12T17:34:00Z

This weekend has seen plenty of close action from those aerial masters, the swifts. These amazing birds can be seen at close views whizzing about over the reeds at Blacktoft right now - one almost visited us in marshland hide earlier today! That is how close you get to the action.

Other aerial masters, have also been around this weekend - with plenty of swallows, house martins and a few sand martins.

Many of our star birds, show really well during this month. Take those avocets on marshland, it is fasinating to listen and watch what they are up to right in front of the hide. Heading down the opposite end of the reserve and the marsh harriers are putting on quite a show. First hide is best for seeing those bearded tits in the morning - even in less than perfect conditions this morning you could still see them busy feeding young.

Warblers continue to be heard and show really well around the trails - with reed warblers, whitethroats and blackcaps becoming very vocal. Listen out for those sedge warblers and the grasshopper warblers are becoming a little less vocal (best in the morning and evening).

On xerox lagoon, we are still getting up to 50 black-tailed godwits visiting us. Here is another photo from pat of these birds:

The other piece of news is about our water voles - click here to find out about what happened yesterday!

For details of this weeks mystery sounds and special sound events, click here.

Mystery Wild Sounds V: The Dark Night.

2013-05-12T16:58:00Z

If it was easy to record the sound of vegetation growth, I would be spoilt for choice for this weeks audible bite from Blacktoft Sands, the flood banks and hedges seem to be greening up in leaps and bounds, butterflies and damselflies are on the wing and the birds continue to give a rousing chorus.

The warblers have once again led the way vocally with those Reed and Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats giving some excellent duets, or very heated sing offs about the trails. You would certainly be forgiven for becoming accustomed to their songs to the extent that they almost slip into the background. In a similar way some of natures's sounds are almost novel when you've not heard them for a while and are somewhat refreshing in more ways than one. ( Think physical rather than biological!)

Sounds are a wonderful tool in detecting species that like to shy away or possibly even put in an appearance during less sociable hours, though some require a bit of assistance for even the best of human ears...

This week sees a number of events focusing on the sights and sounds around the reserve. On Wednesday 15th May, you can join us for a guided walk from 8am to 10am. On Saturday 18th May, you have two options - you can either join the morning walk (8am to 10am) or join the evening walk (7pm to 9pm). There is plenty of places on all walks, so if you want listen to the sounds of Blacktoft then email us at blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk to book a place.

In the meantime, just to keep you busy, this weeks mystery sounds:

Mystery Sound I

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Mystery Sound J

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Water Vole - News Flash

2013-05-11T21:23:00Z

It's been another stupendous day on the reserve, with several feathered bambinos having already emerged in previous weeks such as the greylag, canada and coot chicks, it's time to announce the emergence of our first mammalian offspring (to our knowledge anyway). There were fantastic views from the reception hide today of a large and medium sized water vole along with at least two significantly smaller pups.

Litters are usually born between April and September with the pups leaving the nest after three weeks. This is probably the first of the water vole litters emerging. It certainly seems that way as the inexperienced duo have struggled to enter the water from the extensive tunnel system with the same poise and elegance the adults show. It's going to take some practice to turn the splashing created by these mini water voles into the V shaped ripples the adults forge. However there’s no stopping them once they're in, zooming along the edge of the ditch, what they lack in size they certainly make up for in speed.

Waders, beardies and green veined white's!

2013-05-09T11:48:00Z

The last few days have seen a bit of wader passage through the Sands with recent records of up to 58 black tailed godwits, 2 common sandpipers, 6 turnstone, 40 dunlin, a lone golden plover and then snipe, oystercatcher, lapwing, and curlew and not forgetting our resident avocets.

Other 'typical' May birds present have included up to 25 swifts, little gull, garganey and now a reserve rarity cuckoo! Amazingly I was woken up by a cuckoo this morning at 5.15am (!), a rare event in these parts now as this traditional spring herald continues year on year to decline. So what are the reasons, poor habitat, declines in host species, lack of food and problems in Africa? Probably all of them have contributed in some ways and I have to ask myself, will we ever manage to get back to those halcyon days of the past when I was a teenager and cuckoo's were common.

Still lots of bearded tit activity particularly around first lagoon, don't expect to get amazing views but for those who keep a sharp look out then you may be rewarded with sightings of both male and females as they collect food for their chicks. Here's a picture I took yesterday while I was out monitoring in the reedbed just to prove they do exist! (Sorry Matt but PatC did tell me to put it on my blog!)

The recent good weather has brought out many butterflies, so here's a couple of pictures I took the other day to show the main characteristics for identifying that less well know 'cabbage white' the green veined white. I really like the GVW as they don't lay their eggs on my cabbages unlike the other more common small and large whites. Also look out for the stunning orange tips that like to lay their eggs on nettles to which in my view they are welcome. Have you ever tasted nettle soup? Don't is my advice as you will regret it about 12hrs later! Better than prunes if you get my drift.

The Sedge Warbler Show

2013-05-08T18:54:00Z

Last week was the grasshopper warblers, this week the sedge warblers steal the show.

Here are a few photos that I managed to take today. These give you an idea of the good views of sedge warbler seen throughout the reserve this week - some of the best views just by the main track to reception.

Other warblers are also showing (or heard) well include whitethroat, blackcap and reed warbler. The grasshopper warblers have gone a bit quieter so are now best in the morning or in the evening (reserve open 9am until 9pm this month).

Best of the rest include: 40 black-tailed godwits on xerox, avocets on marshland, garganey was about (but difficult to see), plenty of marsh harriers and some bearded tits at the edges of the reeds on some lagoons.

Mystery Wild Sounds goes Fourth

2013-05-06T22:44:00Z

Another great week has passed us by and on Blacktoft's front line the bombardment of songs and calls shows no sign of letting up. Our returning warblers have really made the reedbed and trailside scrub come alive over the last 7 days.

The little fellows featured in 'Mystery Sound F' have been performing very well over the course of the week and rewarding many a visitor with some excellent views. ( See April 26th or the 'Wild Sounds' tag at the bottom of this page) There are certainly a few more interesting insects starting to make appearances round and about though they're a challenge to record audibly!

Not all of our wildlife is quite so obliging to take turns when they call, sing and generally make noise around the reserve- some would say that particularly first thing in the morning, quite an impressive choir can be heard at Blacktoft which often takes a little patience to break down!

With this in mind this week we have a couple of duets for you to test your increasingly tuned ears with. ( We know you're listening folks! Maybe we need to get some prizes or a points system?!)

Guesses in the comments below. But who can get a full house first?

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Over the coming weeks we have a series of sound based events taking place on the reserve from drop in sessions to guided walks with members of our knowledgeable team on available to lend a hand, or an ear. If you like what you hear do come along and experience Blacktoft Sounds at it's best!

Wild May weekend

2013-05-05T17:46:49Z

A lot of wildilfe action this weekend on the reserve. Using some photos that we have be sent by visitors over the last few weeks, I will explain.

Best start with those big birds of prey, our marsh harriers. Amazing views continue around the reserve particularly from reception down to singleton. To show this here is a photo by Mark Battersby:

And another by goodnitegirl - this one shows another of our stars (the avocets);

Avocets best on marshland and that little gull was present again on that lagoon for much of today.

Now those small warblers are amazing right now - with particularly sedge warblers, blackcap, whitethroat, reed warbler and grasshopper warbler. Here is another photo of the grasshopper warbler taken by Russ Pinder:

Over 50 species of birds seen today at Blacktoft. Best of the rest include male hen harrier, whimbrel flying over, Bittern booming, some sightings of bearded tit, yellow wagtails and a water rail from the screen at ousefleet.

Birds are only part of what you might see. Butterflies are now coming out in good numbers, with orange-tip finally being seen today. Mammals also can be seen around the reserve for those who watch or listen carefully. Here is another photo of a water vole to show you what else you might see - this photo was taken by Ian Cockburn.

Thanks for all your photos. Please keep them coming. You can post them on our gallery, bring them in for the wall in reception or email us at blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk

Grasshopper warblers reeling in the reedbed

2013-05-02T10:53:00Z

It seems like this year there has been a good return of Grasshopper warblers in from Africa, and the good news is that with all this nice weather they have been putting on a great show along the paths in the morning and evening. Below is a picture taken a couple of years ago when we had record numbers. Top birds groppers as they are affectionately known as their reeling song is amazing and can be heard from quite a distance when it's nice and still!

Still a few beardies showing from the hides at the moment with birds still enjoying the surplus of food that the warmer weather has brought out.

Star bird of the last few days has been a flyover Osprey, the first one of the spring. May can bring anything to the reserve so hopefully with all this nice weather the spring migration wil pick up over the bank holiday weekend. A cracking male wheatear this morning was on Ousefleet feeding on insects which are on the Konik dung. Lots of other warblers about too (see last blog)

Plenty of Marsh harriers about and now well into their breeding season, also the first avocet eggs of the year with hopefully more to follow. The male bittern is still booming well with the female seen last night too, this may possible indicate the imminent pitter patter of tiny feet! One species which seems not to be having any problem with producing young at the moment are the greylags with at least 10 broods already seen and one last night with 12 bonny little chicks.

Lots of other wildlife to see at the moment too with the first green veined white butterfly of the year this morning and an early thorne moth in the light trap. Of course Blacktoft is just not about birds and apparently with all the insects emerging there were loads of bats showing in the dim evening light. Pipistrelles were most common but there were also six huge Noctules all feeding around the hedge and visitor centre - cool.

Sunshine brings out the warblers

2013-04-30T11:40:00Z

At last this morning the cold wind had died down and the sun was warming the fenland and allowing the recently arrived warblers to feast on the millions of newly emerged insects. This allowed some great views of sedge and reed warblers, whitethroats, blackcaps and willow warblers while the Grasshopper warblers were reeling away in full view, no more than a few yards away from the path (next few days should be good for seeing the grasshopper warblers in the morning and evening). Bearded tits too were once again active after the cool spell had sent them sulking back into the reedbed over the last few days. Some of the beardie broods that were being fed last week should be due to fledge soon as it only takes 12 days for the young to leave the nest!

Wader passage has been slow but still up to 60 black tailed godwits about and a couple of spotted redshank from time to time. There was our first common sandpiper of the year on Sunday and over the last few days a passage of a few whimbrel. Avocets are now pretty reliable for most of the day on Marshland lagoon. Hopefully if we get a bit more southerly airflow wader passage will pick up.

Below - blackwits by PatC

Other recent highlights include the the grey male hen harrier which seems to be putting on a good showing at the moment, maybe someone should tell him its meant to be summer! little gull now in almost full summer plumage and 60 odd yellow wagtails yesterday into roost and several showing around the lagoons in the daytime.

And little gull again by PatC (keep those photo's comming Pat!)

The marsh harriers are excellent at the moment with birds now regularly food passing and still several sky dancing 500ft or more above the reserve! A few swifts in with the hundreds of swallows and sand martins which are still passing through and roosting on site. Bittern still booming well and seen on Sunday.

And I don't know if anyone has noticed but the UFO has returned (see below), not a fungi but a slime mould which has appeared on several of the willows near to Singleton and Xerox hide.

Picture by El Pedro

Mystery Wild Sounds 3:The Return of the Sing.

2013-04-29T19:52:00Z

It's been another dry week at Blacktoft weather wise, but there is certainly no drought of wildlife on the reserve- birds, mammals, insects and amphibians have all put on a fantastic show through the week and the audible landscape around site continues to be augmented by arrivals and emergents soaking up some sunshine.

Our wild sounds for this week might be just as at home in a meadow as around a wetland. The sounds anyway….maybe not the species……. As always though, both clips were recorded at Blacktoft through the week so now that you’ve warmed up by having a sneaky listen to our rather easy first four snippets we’re going to start making things a bit more tricky!

Guesses are welcome in the comments below as always! ( No more of this, "I told you so" to the husband!)

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There are still a couple of places on the Warblers and small birds walk taking place on Saturday ( 27^th) morning so if you fancy joining one of our guides to brush up on your bird song identification, as well as seeing many of the more wetland specialists which Blacktoft has to offer, please register at reception before 10:00. Full details of this and other ‘Song in the air’ themed events taking place in the coming weeks can be found on our events page.