Coombes Valley

Photo: Markings on the seat

ukmjk — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:55:00 GMT

I noticed some odd marking on the seat by the pond..... this wasp was the cause!

Martin K

Photo: Pied Flycatcher by the Pond

ukmjk — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:52:00 GMT

I was sitting on the seat by the pond when this pied flycatcher flew over and perched in the tree right behind the seat - nice and close for the photo!

Martin K

Blog post: Birds, Butterflies, Wildflowers, and a Very Steep Learning Curve!

Lizzie — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:56:00 GMT

This week I was faced with a familiar problem – what to do with my midweek day off when everyone else on site is working? The problem was solved for me though, when Holly and Simon suggested that I come with them on the morning’s target bird survey. Despite the slight downside of a 7:00am start, I soon forgot about being tired when we began our walk down into the valley, and our lovely and talented warden interns were immediately pointing out bird calls for me to note down on the map!

The ease with which they could pick out the different species was amazing, especially when the woodland was alive with birdsong all around. Being the Visitor Officer intern, I don’t get out on the reserve as regularly as Simon and Holly do, so my natural history skills are somewhat lacking at the moment. However, they seem to think there is hope for me yet, and I have definitely been inspired to make more of my spare time whilst I’m living on the edge of this beautiful woodland.

That wasn’t all the excitement for the day though – whilst we were making our way through the valley, they were pointing out different wildflower species left right and centre – a habit which has become more noticeable since Jarrod, our site manager, set them the task of being able to identify at least 100 of the plant species that grow here! Although this sounds very challenging, those two are both well on their way, and I have picked up a few to add to my own (admittedly rather short) list, including Cuckooflower, Bitter Vetch, Wavy Bitter Cress and Ground Ivy!

Bitter Vetch (photo by Lizzie Ingram)

Ground Ivy (photo by Lizzie Ingram)

If the day wasn’t full enough already, I later went out with Simon to do a butterfly survey in the sunshine, where we spotted several green-veined whites, orange-tips, a small white and a peacock! There was also a bank vole we heard scuffling around, and eventually we saw him staring out at us from the undergrowth, nibbling on plants as calm as can be!

Small White butterfly (photo by Simon Gray)

I admit I caught the identification bug yesterday, and set out later that afternoon to draw wildflowers so that the new ones I had learned would better stick in my memory. What’s more, once I had started, I couldn’t seem to stop spotting different species, so now you know what I’ll be doing with my spare time!

Blog post: Great crested newt survey news!

Holly Arnfield — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:46:00 GMT

Active management is vital to provide wildlife with optimal habitat. Here at Coombes we primarily manage our woodland for bird species in decline due to deterioration nationally of woodland habitat. But other habitat types also need active management, and one I’m particularly interested in is our pond.

The large pond down in the valley becomes shallower every year, as leaves and sediment build up at its bottom. This means there's a danger of it drying up altogether; becoming boggy grassland, then scrub and eventually covered in trees, in a process called succession. Although succession is natural, if we allow it to continue there will eventually be no pond, and some wildlife which currently finds a home here will be displaced. We don’t want this. We plan to de-silt the pond, to make it deeper again so it'll last for years to come.

ONe of the pond's residents, a common toad. Photo by Simon Gray

However, for legal reasons, no such work could take place until we knew if protected species like great crested newt were present. So we asked volunteer and licenced newt surveyor, Mark Preece, to help us look for newts (and other amphibians, as it’s interesting to know what you have, protected or not!).

We used a combination of methods to survey, although please note a licence is necessary for most of these if there’s a chance of finding great crested newts (don’t try this at home folks!):

Egg searching involves looking for folded over leaves, where the newt has laid an egg and stuck the leaf down for protection.

Netting involves sweeping a net through the water to catch adult newts.

Torch-light surveying is where you go out at night with a powerful torch to spot newts in the water.

Bottle-trapping involves constructing non-lethal traps, sticking them around the pond-edge overnight and examining the catch early next morning.

Our results are very exciting!

Besides heaps of frog tadpoles, a diving beetle the size of a mouse, and a plethora of water snails, we found a medium-sized population both of smooth newts and of common toads! And most exciting of all, two big, black and warty, female great crested newts!

Great crested newt we caught in a bottle trap! Photo by Simon Gray

One of our great crested newts, with a smooth newt for comparison. Photo by Simon Gray

So what now? We’ve established the presence of great crested newts, so no further survey work is needed. We still intend to de-silt the pond; the presence of this protected species just means we need to time any work so it won’t impact on the newts. If we wait until late Autumn, the amphibians will have all left the pond to overwinter under rocks and in deadwood piles.

Who knows, they might return to breed next Spring and find a much more suitable habitat awaiting!

Blog post: Tree pipit arrives!

Holly Arnfield — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:20:00 GMT

Although we at Coombes Valley like looking beyond birds to the rest of this wonderful woodland ecosystem, we thought you’d like to hear about this morning’s bird highlight- out surveying target bird species, we saw our first tree pipit of the year!

He was perched at the top of a hawthorn right in the centre of a sunny Clough Meadow, singing his little heart out! We got a great view of his characteristic parachuting song flight, watching as he climbed high into the air and then glided back down to his perch, singing all the while! Their song reminds me of machine guns followed by rockets, but feel free to differ.

Tree pipits are summer visitors over from Africa, which feed mainly on terrestrial invertebrates like weevils, caterpillars and spiders, and breed in open areas and the edges of woodlands. So the open grassland of Clough Meadow is a good place to find them.

Keep an eye and an ear out next time you visit- a tree pipit made our collective mornings, and one could make yours too in the near future!

Blog post: A Visit from BBC Radio 4!

Lizzie — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:49:00 GMT

You don't need to be an expert to enjoy the magical atmosphere created by the dawn chorus at Coombes Valley, and we want everyone to experience it, so come along as early as you like! BBC Radio 4's 'The Living World' team have visited us bright and early this week in honour of International Dawn Chorus Day on May 5th. BBC Presenter Trai Anfield has kindly penned today's blog for us, so over to Trai to describe the experience in her own words.

This week the Living World team recorded a special programme to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day. We travelled to North Staffordshire to revel in the early morning symphony of woodland song echoing through the Churnet Valley Living Landscape, at the RSPB’s Coombes Valley Reserve. This is a wonderful spot to appreciate one of nature's most uplifting soundscapes. Site Manager Jarrod Sneyd proved an expert guide to all the resident and migrant birds which sing to attract a mate and secure territory at this time of year.

At 4am, with the moon still bright and mist cladding the valley, the only sound was the eerie screech of tawny owls. They were soon joined by the "rhythm section" of the chorus: frog-like croaks of woodcock and the caw of crows. With the rhythm established the scene was set for the soloists to make an entrance: robin, wren, willow warbler, song thrush and blackbird wove a curtain of sound that rose and fell over the next couple of hours, charting momentous moments in these birds’ lives.

Coombes Valley Site Manager Jarrod Sneyd talking to Trai about the Dawn Chorus (Photograph courtesy of Trai Anfield and Hawk's Head Photography)

I thought it might be fun to share a SNEAKY BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEAK of how we made the programme in a short video I made for the BBC Radio 4 website.

You can catch the programme itself on BBC Radio 4 at 0635 on Sunday, May 5th...

….but if you’re not an early bird yourself, or you missed it, you can listen again on BBC i-player!

Thanks to Jarrod and all the team at RSPB Coombes Valley for a great couple of days, I'm sure I will be back again before too long.

Trai Anfield

Presenter, The Living World, BBC Radio 4.

Blog post: The migrants are here!!!!!

Simon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:02:00 GMT

Over the last week the staff and visitors at Coombes Valley have been bringing back reports of a couple of our target species, Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts! Along with a whole host of other migrant species that have traveled a great distance to take of advantage of the haven that is Coombes!

Pied flycatcher male (left) and Redstart male (right)

Myself and Holly spotted our first male Pied flycatcher just across the first bridge on the main track but they've been spotted up at Buzzard bank and down by the pond too. Their bright white underside makes them very easy to spot even from a distance. A male redstart has been spotted in the long meadow and we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the first female of the year in clough meadow as she dropped down from a Hawthorn to reveal her rusty red tail.

Photo of Chiffchaff

The air is filled with the back and forth song of Chiffchaffs, the descending tune of Willow warblers and even a lesser whitethroat has been spotted in the top meadow. If you wait around the viewing platform outside the visitor centre you might be lucky enough to see Swallows ducking and diving above you with thier streamlined bodies and beautiful forked tails that have steered them all the way accross the Sahara desert. Have you seen any migrants at Coombes Valley? Come along and see what you can spot, this is only the beginning!!

Swallow (Photo by Mark Day)

Blog post: Recent Sightings: Peacocks and Woodcocks

Simon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:33:00 GMT

If you were to walk through Coombes or Churnet valleys today you might notice that everything is getting a little bit greener. The Hazel and Hawthhorn are beginning to show their leaves and shoots of grass are sprouting along the path. Along with this greenery, there are splashes of colour that really stand out - the Willow trees by the pond have turned a furry yellow as their catkins unfurl, and primroses are popping up all over the place. Spring really has come at an extraordinary pace, but in the last week a few things have really stood out for me.

Wood Anemone (Photo by Simon Gray)

In certain places around the reserve there is a flower which seems to have come out of nowhere, and is such a pleasant suprise. This is the Wood anemone, or windflower - a beautiful white flower which can carpet large areas of woodland (as you cross the first bridge over the brook look right). Wood anemones are thought to spread very slowly and their seeds are often unsuccessful - because of this they are said to be good indicators of ancient woodland areas!

Peacock Butterfly (Photo by Simon Gray)

While wandering along our extended trail, I was put into a state of shock when, tumbling down the path towards me, was the first butterfly I had seen this year! Just before it crashed into my chest it reared up into the air and over my head! After I snapped out of my ecstatic daze, I gave pursuit until it found the perfect landing spot, where I got a long enough look to identify it as a Peacock. Its large eye spots and variety of colours make this a mesmerising butterfly, and considering this individual was most likely an overwintering adult, it was looking very well indeed!

Woodcock roding (Photo by David Tipling - rspb-images.com)

The most recent and exciting surprise of the week came just a couple of nights ago. Myself, Mark, Holly and Lizzie had all been down to the pond to test out the bat detectors - all of which worked, as we were able to hear a lovely little Pipistrelle echolocating! On the way back through Clough Meadow, as it was getting dark, we sat in watch for a sight (and a sound) we have been hoping to see for weeks - a woodcock in the midst of its 'roding' display flight! One obligingly flew right over the meadow above our heads, and we heard it's mysterious low-pitched grunting vocalization, followed by a short and high pitched 'wizzik' whistle. For a bird that is rarely seen except when it is bursting out of the undergrowth away from you in a fright, it was a wonderful experience to end the week.

Blog post: Oh, Deer!

Mark Day — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:30:00 GMT

I have been growing ever more curious about the occasional deer sightings on the reserve. We know that we have three species moving around and through Coombes and Churnet valleys, but it's very rarely that they're actually seen.

The carpet of snow deposited in recent weeks gave me new insight into their movements though. I then had a pretty good idea of where to put my camera trap. Eventually I managed to capture these clips, showing a red deer and then a muntjac.

(Please visit the site to view this video)

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Still though, I felt that I wanted to discover more about them. How come I've never seen them around the place myself? Where do they spend their days?

After finishing work on Monday I headed down to the point near the brook where my camera trap has been located. From there I started following tracks. I was sure that I wouldn't actually happen upon any deer, but maybe following their tracks would give me an insight, and if nothing else, somewhere new to set up my camera.

I climbed to one of the top boundaries of the reserve and found an area well away from the public trails with plenty of space between the trees. To my (very) inexperienced eyes this place looked good. I thought 'if I was a deer, this is where I'd hang out'. Then, to my left, three big red deer crashed through the woods, following the reserve boundary downhill. They were gone as quickly as they came; It was a fleeting but brilliant encounter.

So now I've seen them....but that was only the start.

On Tuesday, I wasn't actually working but called into the office with a mate who I was out for a bike ride with. Over a cuppa, I told him and Holly about where I'd seen them, and not two minutes later, through the office window, he picked out six red deer heading down the other side of the valley, one stag and five hinds. We watched them for a good few minutes before they headed out of view and into the woodland.

Two good sightings then in the space of two days. It would surely be a while before I was so lucky again? Would it?

Tonight (Friday 19th), Holly and I went out for a walk. We headed towards the area where I'd seen the deer on Monday. They weren't there, but there was plenty of evidence of them. We headed back, moving back down the hill. A couple of interesting bird sightings had the pair of us stalking around, treading really carefully. We didn't realise that we were being watched.

The sound of sudden movement made us both turn quickly. It was another deer! We're not sure which species this was as we saw it so briefly, but our opinion of it's size as it started away from us suggests that again it was a red. Again it was pretty close to the area that all the recent sightings have been in.

So that's 3 out of 3. I'm on a bit of a roll :)

I don't pretend to be any sort of expert, but the signs are definitely there if you take time to look for them.

If you fancy a bit of amateur deer spotting, then next time you visit, stop for a moment on the patio area near the bird feeders and scan the other side of the valley. Keep your eyes open when you're walking round the reserve too. Have a look for trails and prints heading off into the woods, and for droppings. Take your time, listen out, and you never know.....

I'll keep you all updated if I see any more myself.

Blog post: Tim's Spring Blog - Mid April

Mark Day — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:22:00 GMT

Tim contributes regular blogs for us as part of his DofE Bronze award. Here's his latest report from his visit on Sunday 14^th April.

My mum and I ventured out on what was a very unpredictable day.

The weather was mixed, sunshine and showers which were changing all the time although the temperature is now what it should be, 13 degrees.

Today it was very windy as well, so the birdlife was limited. The Robin though was still as friendly as ever and I managed to get a shot of it.

The Jay could be heard from the bottom of the valley, where we saw a male pheasant. I think there had been more frogspawn laid on the main pond and the little one at the top.

The trees have started to come into leaf such as the beech and bramble. The bluebells and celandine are coming into flower gradually.

The Nuthatch is still around as well as the snow on the hills.

We spoke to Heather in the visitor centre and she said that there would hope to be more unusual birds next week. Fresh moles hills scatter the field at the top and the grass is coming up nicely

Just before we leave Tim's blog, I wanted to add in a couple of photos from his previous visit. They're cracking pictures of a buzzard which circled ever nearer to us as we chatted outside the visitor centre. Stunning pictures, thanks Tim

Blog post: What Can We Learn from the Dawn Chorus?

Lizzie — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:51:00 GMT

Well, spring appears to be upon us (finally!), and this means the start of the annual CBC. What’s a CBC, I hear you say?

CBC is the ‘Common Birds Census’ – a method of monitoring and mapping the territories of common bird species, such as robins, wrens, song thrushes and blackbirds.

Song Thrush image by David Kjaer (rspb-images.com)

Simon, Holly and our wonderful team of volunteers have been hard at work in preparation for the commencement of the CBC, which typically starts in early April at the beginning of the breeding season. This has involved the installation of more permanent route structures (in the form of numbered posts), which are followed by pairs of volunteers conducting the survey.

Simon has just had his first taste of such a survey, which meant a 5am start followed by around four hours of following a pre-defined route through the Churnet Valley.

The survey period is about four months long, and during that time each pair of volunteers will perform four morning visits and one in the evening. One of each pair must identify birds along the route by eye or song, whilst the other records the results on a map of the survey area. Mapping is based on the number and location of territories of different species and from the vocal interactions that members of the same species have with one another.

This type of survey requires a great deal of skill in identifying birds, so relies on a brilliant and dedicated few helpers. Despite being more than a little tired when he returned, Simon had clearly loved the experience, and remarked on how much knowledge he had absorbed. He was lucky enough to have spotted both willow warbler and blackcap, and a chiffchaff was also heard. This should indicate that spring is well on its way.

Blackcap image by David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Chiffchaff image by David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Simon was especially struck by the beauty of the woodland at dawn, with the mist blanketing the ground and hanging between the trees, creating an eerie but quite magical effect.

Between this, the glorious dawn chorus, and the spotting of a roe deer, I’m quite tempted to a dawn wander myself!

Roe Deer image by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Knowing roughly how many species territories there are within the Churnet Valley will let us know how our populations of resident breeding birds are doing. The recording of less common birds, such as spring migrants, may allow us to see whether their territories are overlapping with particular vegetation types within the woodland. Such knowledge can tell us how our ongoing habitat management projects may be encouraging these species. That can in turn, inform future decisions on the management of our woodland.

So, in answer to the question posed by the title, actually rather a lot!

Blog post: Recent Sightings: The Insects are coming!

Simon — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:19:00 GMT

The nights are still cold, but the days are getting (marginally!) warmer, as well as longer. These higher temperatures mean that our invertebrate friends are beginning to stir from their winter slumber. For instance, Mark, Lizzie and I have all been very excited to have seen or heard bumble bees in the past few days!

Ichneumon sarcitorius - a parasitic wasp (Photo by Simon Gray)

If things weren't exciting enough already, as I was sitting in the top meadow yesterday minding my own buisness, I noticed a wasp climbing up my leg. But this was no ordinary wasp!! With some acrobatic manoeuvreing, I managed to carry it back to the office buildiings on a book I had with me. After displaying this fine specimen to a crowd of fascinated visitors (which included Mark asnd Lizzie), I identified it as a female Ichneumon sarcitorius. This wasp is part of a large group of mostly parasitoid wasps which lay their eggs inside the larvae of moths and butterflies!! Have you seen any wasps like this before?

Butterbur in the Churnet Valley (Photo by Holly Arnfield)

In the mornings as we are opening up the reserve, some of us have had the pleasure of hearing the whirling "cour-eee" of Curlews, from which they get their common name. Once you hear it it's hard to forget! Lizzie was also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a tiny goldcrest down in the valley, and a woodcock in the middle of the plantation! Some of the wildflowers which will eventually carpet the woodland floor (making it even more beautiful than it is already!) are still a long way from blooming. Other species have begun to respond to the longer days though, such as Lesser Celendine, Butterbur and Coltsfoot, which are all beginning to flower in the Churnet Valley (where it's also a little bit warmer!).

Satellite Moth (Photo by Simon Gray)

Our moth trap has seen very little action recently due to the harsh temperatures, but this morning we had our first recorded moth of the year! A Satellite moth! When I first opened the trap it was very still, but when I brought it into the warmth of the office, to my excitement it slowly shivered back to life! Have you seen any mini beasts being awoken by the warmer weather?

Blog post: Certainly Surprising

Mark Day — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:55:00 GMT

A returning friend, Heather, has penned this guest blog for us. She spent a few days in the area and brought the sun along with her!

A visit back to Coombes and Churnet nature reserves is full of guarantees. Certain are the warm smiles and welcome cups of tea. Guaranteed is a peaceful immersion in nature and a reminder of the natural beauty so close to Leek. Assured are the fantastic valley views which always amaze and calm a busy mind.

Coombes Valley view image by Lizzie Ingram

Yet it is the unpredictable seasonal surprises which keep me coming back two years after volunteering and working here.

As I ventured into the Churnet Valley, wanting to stretch my legs and reacquaint myself with the woodland footpaths, I didn’t know what I would find.

Splashes of welcome colour, the bright red goblets of scarlet elf cap fungus, jumped out amongst the remaining snow, mud and beaten down grass. Swathes of wild garlic I remember well, their spicy raw flavour and bright green sheen peppering my thoughts and taste buds. Butterbur was poking through the cold ground; its robust purple flower buds a promise of the huge leaves to come. I am reminded of wilderness of the Churnet valley, with its magical myriad of trees, wobbly ash and impenetrable holly bushes.

Wild Garlic image by Lizzie Ingram

Butterbur image by Mark Day

Along the familiar walk were interesting sights, sounds and natural drama – a stoat darting away from the canal edge, a hare stopped dead in its tracks before springing off into the undergrowth, the mound of earth revealing an active badger sett. The spring sun briefly warmed my face before the clouds stole it away.

Brown Hare image by Kayleigh Brookes

Plant names I thought had escaped my memory came creeping back, golden saxifrage, their names coming second to the admiration of their strength in surviving the recent weather and the excitement of seeing fresh signs of life.

Golden Saxifrage image by Simon Gray

Spring also brings new interns and volunteers to the reserve. Fresh energy, taking on the task of guardians of this natural haven and working with dedicated volunteers who have been there for years.

Before I knew it, it was time to leave again. I’d got my fix of woodland magic, caught up with old friends and felt refreshed by the peaceful valley. One thing is certain, that I’ll keep on coming back and that, just as this time, my woodland walks will be full of surprises.

Blog post: British summer time has started, the nights are getting longer- is Spring here at last?

Holly Arnfield — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:48:00 GMT

As the solstice passed it made me think; what actually is Spring? Are the seasons just an arbitrary way to divide up the year? Do they have meaning apart from when defined by seasonal events and alterations in our physical environment?

Technically, this is spring. Yet it still seems like winter; not only because of the inclement weather, but also the delay in phenological events. These are events in nature that occur at specific times of year, like the spawning of amphibians, trees coming into bud, the first bumblebees buzzing in the flowerbed, and migrant birds arriving.

Frog spawn by Lizzie Ingram

Flora: Lesser celandine is coming into flower in places down in the Churnet, but at a higher elevation here at Coombes, our flowers are a little behind.

Lesser celandine by Simon Gray

The bluebells remain green clumps, unchanged since our arrival a month ago, but I can imagine what a spectacular sight they will be when the carpet of green turns into a carpet of blue! Watch this space, it surely can’t be long! In the meantime, bright yellow catkins on the coppiced hazel make an attractive sight.

Coppiced hazel by Jarrod Sneyd

Fauna: No bumblebees, ladybirds, or butterflies yet, and in our moth trap, a single, lonely, spider! Insects generally seem scarce in this cold weather (excepting Lizzie’s fabulous ‘Fly on Snow’!), so it’s no wonder the fly-eating migrant birds have yet to show themselves. There are still winter visitors like redwings and fieldfares about, but the tits are investigating the nest boxes so the breeding season can’t be far off. Chiffchaffs are due any day now- come to Coombes Valley and spot the first one for us!

Fly on Snow by Lizzie Ingram

Charming as Winter is at Coombes, I’m hopeful he’s finally had his last hurrah. One morning soon I’ll wake up and it’ll be Spring; whatever the calendar month, I don’t accept spring’s arrived until bees and butterflies are busy amongst the wildflowers, and the toads are migrating! What makes spring in your eyes?

Blog post: Not seen much...

Rachel — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:54:00 GMT

The other evening Holly and I couldn't resist a walk around the reserve after a day in the office. We stopped to chat to some visitors - who commented they hadn't seen much.

Not seen much?!! . . .

Well, we clearly aren't interpreting our woodland as well as we need to!!! Note to self.

Of course, woodlands are a complex habitat - full of stuff - just not always easy to see.

But some stuff is easy to see - if you look, wonder and question.

My gran and grandad always made me look and wonder - so I reflect back to my childhood - and their wisdom and tales of magic.

My grandad would talk of Cecil the Elf, Whirlwind and the Thunder Witch.

So, I walked through the woodland as if I was Cecil the Elf (Holly had no idea - I'm sure the residential volunteers think the Site Manager is crazy enough!).

I was looking for evidence of witches - of dark magic? Had the Thunder Witch actually been riding her broomstick through Spiritholes Wood?

As we walked deeper into the heart of the wood - there was no escaping the fact - her witches broom had swept past numerous birch trees - and left a mark . . . . . . .

Ok - so I'm not Cecil the Elf, but we both like hugging mushrooms. So, talking of fungus . . . . As Wendy Birks commented - it's a fungus that causes the tree to develop this mass of densely branched small twigs (Taphrina betulina) - see this link for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witches_broo

Blog post: An Easter Eggstravaganza!

Lizzie — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:27:00 GMT

It’s been a busy few days up here at Coombes Valley, as we’ve all been occupied with both on-site and off-site events. For four days over the Easter weekend the team have been at the Trentham Gardens Estate, making nest boxes with the public. Needless to say, Simon, one of warden interns, was a complete natural at it, however it did involve quite a learning curve for Holly and I, who were nest-box making novices! Let’s just say there were a few bruised thumbs and grazed knuckles before the weekend was over!

We really enjoyed seeing how enthused people got about building something that would make a difference to breeding birds in their area, and seeing our youngest visitors get so excited about what might go in their new nest box (and come out again!) was especially rewarding. So in addition to making a few more members, which gives us invaluable support in terms of the management we are able to do on our reserve, it was a fantastic experience for us all to be able to work with the public and to better understand the perceptions they have of the work we do.

Photograph by David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Unsurprisingly, most of the people that approached us for a chat would ask about birds, and parents passing by would ask their children if they wanted to go and see the bird people! It was a great opportunity to be able to tell people that we don’t just protect birds, but all of nature too. This is especially relevant to a reserve like ours, with its rich mixed woodland habitats that support a fantastic variety of flora and fauna.

In addition to the nest box making, our ‘Deadly Easter Investigation’ trail started at the reserve on Saturday (and is running for the next 2 weeks if you fancy coming along for a crack at an Easter egg – pun intended!). It has proved very popular so far, with parents and kids of all ages braving the mud to solve the mystery of the Coombes Valley wildlife criminal!

Reflecting on the weekend really makes me appreciate the fantastic volunteers we have that have come and helped us out, whether it was making nest boxes and chatting with the public or manning the visitor centre to welcome budding detectives for the Easter trail. We simply wouldn’t have been able to reach as many people without them, so I want to say a massive thank you on behalf of the Coombes Valley team.

Volunteers are the key part of us being able to do as much as we can in the fight to conserve nature, and we could always use more help, so if you are interested in getting involved at our beautiful reserve, please let us know by giving us a ring or sending us an email. Thank you!

Blog post: Recent Sightings: Telltale Signs

Simon — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:21:00 GMT

During the chilly Easter that we're experiencing, the dawn chorus that we've been delighted with has been relatively subdued. It's not only the lack of song that's been noticable; when the snow started falling and the winds picked up, a bird wasn't seen on the feeders for a good few days.
The weather may have slowed the progress of Spring, but the snow is handy as it helps identify telltale signs of some of Coombes more elusive species. When I was out for a walk over the weekend I saw tracks made by pheasants all over the reserve and a number of tracks made by deer.

Badger tracks in the snow (Photo by Lizzy Ingram)

It's pretty easy to know when you've come across a red deer track like Mark and I did on Monday 25th. Their prints are much bigger than the other 2 deer species (roe and muntjac) that we get at Coombes. Alongside the deer and pheasant tracks we also saw the occasional paw prints of fox and badger! Badgers are very rarely seen, so it's nice to be reminded of their presence.

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Coombes feeder (Photo by Simon Gray)

As the winds calmed and the snow started to take a break, the birds begain returning to the feeders. A great spotted woodpecker was among them! The resident grey squirrel was also back, but as usual was thwarted in its attempts by the feeder cages.

Beginnings of Willow catkins down by the pond (Photo by Simon Gray)

Just before we were engulfed by the cold snap there were signs that Spring was on its way. Willow by the pond was showing the beginnings of its catkins. Does anybody know what kind of willow species this is?

If you see any signs of spring or of elusive animals, either at Coombes or near to where you live, then please let us know. You can upload pictures to our facebook page or email them to us at coombes.valley@rspb.org.uk

Blog post: Helping Our Wildlife Through the Wintry Weather

Lizzie — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:24:00 GMT

Coombes Valley is rather silent at the moment, and I've only had occasional glimpses of the wildlife that I can usually see every day. Does this sound familiar to you?

As I was walking around the reserve in the snow the other day (which continues to fall!), it got me wondering – how do the animals and birds cope with harsh weather when it arrives so unexpectedly, and what effects does it have on them?

The bridge over Combes brook (Photo by Lizzie Ingram)

Sadly, all the frogspawn which seemed to be doing so well in the pond is covered in snow and frozen, but where are the frogs? How do amphibians, which can’t control their own body temperature, survive in sub-zero temperatures? Some frogs and newts are able to swim to the bottom of ponds and lie dormant for days or even weeks! Their specialised skin is able to absorb oxygen from the water as long as it is reasonably well oxygenated.

Coombes Valley dipping pond (Photo by Lizzie Ingram)

So can you do anything to help them through this cold snap? Well, if your pond is iced over it’s really important to clear any snow off the surface so light can get through, allowing the plants under the ice to go on producing oxygen. This will also help any insect larvae under the ice to survive. For other amphibians which prefer to hibernate on land, having a damp compost heap or log pile can provide the perfect place for them to shelter. Have you noticed any hibernating amphibians in your garden recently?

What about mammals, such as hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, bats and rabbits? This unseasonably cold weather is of great concern, as most of them will have already used up the fat reserves they built up at the end of last year to last them through winter hibernation.

Rabbit tracks in the snow at Coombes Valley (photo by Lizzie Ingram)

Many of them will have had to extend their ranges and hunting hours to increase their food supply. Have you noticed any foxes out in daylight hours? A good way to help mammals such as hedgehogs and foxes is to put out pet food, which will be a welcome meal for them when they can’t find anything else. Others, like bats, will not be able to find food at all if they come out of hibernation, as it is simply too cold for the insects they feed on to fly.

Small birds, such as robins and tits, face a daily struggle to survive as they depend on being able to find food all through the day. Have you seen them on your feeders first thing in the morning? Putting out foods high in fat and protein will help them to survive the cold.

Robin on a feeder containing suet bird cake. Photo by Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com)

Being able to wash is another essential for your garden birds, as it means that their feathers keep their insulating quality. One thing we can all do to help, and which will help lots of visitors to your garden, is to give them a supply of fresh water to drink. Placing a rubber ball or wooden kitchen utensil in the water will stop it from icing over completely.

So, aside from keeping our fingers crossed that this cold weather will soon be over, there are many small things we can all do that could mean the difference between life and death for our struggling wildlife.

Blog post: Is it winter or spring?

Mark Day — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT

In his two most recent visits, Tim has seen contrasting weather conditions. One visit felt very much like spring was in the air, but the other suggested that winter lingers on.

Here's Tim to describe those visits in his own words

Sunday 10th March

Today was mother's day, and my mum kindly came on my walk with me. For the first time out of five visits the sun managed to stay out throughout the most of the walk. The river had risen slightly due to the recent snowfall and rain in the past week. The snow was everywhere but more so in the shaded areas.

The buzzards and jay were extremely common today. I tried to creep up on one along the hedge line to capture a picture but I had no chance. The snowdrops and fungi were new this week by Clough Meadow Cottage. The fungi was called scarlet elf cap and there was about 5 caps. They looked quite fresh and we found out that they were growing through the moss, which was covering through an old log. They grow in damp conditions and are seen throughout winter and spring.

Sunday 17th March

Today, I was joined on my walk by my dad. The weather was not too bad as the sun came out occasionally and it was a reasonable temperature. As a result, the wildlife this week was quite active. As soon as we arrived, I spotted the male great spotted woodpecker in the tree next to the feeders near the visitor centre.

I have to say that the top part of the valley is a lot more active than the lower part, although my dad managed to spot some frogspawn on the pond by the bridge. That's a sure sign that Spring is progressing. Have you seen any frogspawn where you are yet?

Lots of buds are starting to appear on the trees and on the ground. The Jay was common as usual, always being able to hear that screech as well as all the garden birds. The Buzzard was wheeling above Buzzard Bank and was visible from the bottom of the valley. I will be back for more next week.

Blog post: The microscopic world of moss

Mark Day — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:08:00 GMT

Visitors joining us on Saturday 9th March got the chance to take part in an informative guided walk on the subject of bryophytes.

The word bryophytes is used as a collective term for mosses and liverworts that have no internal vessels. They extract all they need from the atmosphere, so generally are found in damp conditions.

They're all around us in the natural world, and there is an incredible variety to be found in the British Isles. We set out to identify just a few of the 1200+ recorded species.

You really don't have to travel far to find them. Our walk started right by the visitor centre where our expert guide was able to talk us through a handful of different species within a distance of just a few metres.

If you've never looked in detail at a moss or liverwort before, get yourself a hand lens (from £5) and be amazed. It will reveal intricate detail that's been around you going unnoticed as you go about your day to day business. Personally, I found it fascinating and I often lagged at the back of the group so I could get photographs to share some of their amazing diversity and structure with you.

Firstly, this picture shows Common Feather-moss (Kindbergia praelonga). When you examine this one closely it has differently shaped leaves on its stem to those on its branches (the former having a wider base). This moss is one of the commonest in lowland Britain and can often be found carpeting logs, branches and turf.

You'll notice a visible difference between that and the next picture which illustrates Bifid Crestwort (Lophocolea bidentata).

It has bi-lobed leaves and is probably the commonest leafy liverwort we have in the British Isles.

Finally for now, our third picture again shows something very different. Think of this one as looking a bit like a toilet brush.

For those who like to name things though, its common name is Bank Haircap (Polytrichum formosum). It's shoots appear in loose tufts that grow to 5-10 cm tall with leaves up to 1 cm long. It is typical of deciduous woodlands.

We identified many more on the walk, and even brought some back to look at under a microscope which revealed even more minute detail.

Naming these things won't interest everyone. You certainly don't have to do that to appreciate them. What you can appreciate though if you stop to look, is just how much diversity there is all around you, waiting to be discovered.