We had the pleasure of checking our dormouse nestboxes today. Nine dormice in eight boxes was a good result and we were able to get another cute photo of a curled-up dormouse fast asleep. Other tenants of the boxes were Blue Tits (in 44 of the boxes!) and Wood Mice. But the great surprise was to find a box occupied by a healthy brood of Marsh Tits that appeared to be ready to fledge. As we checked the box mum or dad returned with food so we didn't have time to count the young but reckon there were 4 or 5. Marsh Tits aren't doing that well nationally so getting firm breeding evidence is a real bonus.
On Tuesday 24 April a Raven was recorded in the reserve for the first time since it opened in 2007. Although Raven have flown over in recent months, this was first time one had actually been seen in Broadwater. It was being harassed by a Carrion Crow in the top of a tall pine tree west of the Decoy Pond. It eventually flew off pursued by the Crow.
Other bird news - Woodlark are still being seen and heard on the recently-cleared heathland and last weekend Tree Pipit were displaying near the Central Crossroads.
A large lorry arrived at the reserve today. The tail-gate was opened and the ramp lowered. Five lovely Exmoor Ponies alighted - arriving at Broadwater Warren for their summer holidays, away from the South Downs. The ponies will spend the next six months chomping through grasses, nibbling at birch and trampling the ground - recreating many of the natural processes that wildlife responds to.
They quickly slowed to a walk, to inspect their new surroundings...
With 150 acres to explore, the question the ponies seemed to be thinking was "which way now?...."
The big Decoy Pond is now alive with frog spawn and the sound of frogs.
We'll be putting a lot of effort into improving the wildlife value of the Decoy Pond over the next few years. It's great to know the frogs are already doing well and we'll be able to make conditions even better for them.
Is Spring really here?!?
The wood ants have been really active during the last couple of weeks. As soon as the sun comes out, their nests are swarming with activity.
Bright yellow Brimstone butterflies have been a regular feature at the reserve over the last week. Comma butteflies, with their distinctive wavy wing edge, have also been seen. Other butterflies to look out for in March are Peacock and early Small Whites,
This spiny chap was spotted on a gate post in the car park this afternoon:
It's a caterpillar of a Ruby Tiger moth. These caterpillars feed on plantains and other herbaceous plants and there's plenty of those around the car park area. It's spines must be quite a deterent to birds wanting an easy snack. The beautiful ruby-red moth flies in mid to late summer.