News

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Conservation Work at Linacre Reservoirs

Our partnership with Derbyshire County Council's Countryside Service started in February 2006 when we installed nestboxes in the trees at Linacre Reservoirs ready for the 2006 breeding season. We began monthly survey walks in July 2006 to monitor the birdlife and feed the results into the BTO's Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS). The nestboxes are maintained over the winter and then monitored during the breeding season to see which species are using them and with what level of success. We have also installed birdfeeders, which we keep supplied with food.

Bringing the story up-to-date...
Linacre Reservoirs September 2010 - January 2011

September's walk saw the last summer migrants, when 6 Swallows and a singing Chiffchaff, were reported. Shortly afterwards the first Redwing, Cormorant and Black-headed Gulls of the winter appeared, followed by increasing numbers of wildfowl, especially Mallard and Mandarin. These 2 species continued to increase throughout October reaching record counts of at least 122 and 135 respectively!! Interestingly, however, by the end of the year, numbers had returned to normal levels, which suggests many of these birds move elsewhere, but where? A large skein of Pink-footed Geese (100+) flew over the reservoirs in October and another uncommon species, Teal, put in an appearance for the December walk when 4 (2 males and 2 females) were discovered on the top reservoir. These birds didn't stay long however, as the cold, icy weather continued. All three reservoirs were frozen for much of December, with only small patches of open water by the overflows. The last highlight of the year was three juvenile Mute Swans and a first for the reservoirs in the form of a Herring Gull perched on the ice for 5 minutes.

2011 started very much as 2010 had finished with average numbers of wildfowl on the reservoirs. The January Bird Survey walk however, produced the group's first Goosander of the year with 2 males on the lower reservoir and by the end of the month this number had increased to 6. Birds of prey put in an appearance at the start of the year with both Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard seen around the site.

Following the cancellation of the nest box cleaning session at the end of 2010 due to the heavy snow, 7 members joined the DCC ranger in January to clean out last year's nest boxes and carry out some much needed maintenance work. In addition, another 28 boxes were installed in an area to the east of the top reservoir, ideal habitat for Pied Flycatchers.

As I write at the beginning of February 2011 the first Chiffchaffs have been heard singing in Kent, so hopefully it won't be long before we follow suit and a new breeding season can begin. Just had in reports of, what I believe, is a new first for Linacre - 5 tree sparrows seen near the top reservoir. Subsequently we confirmed 2 tree sparrows at a near-by farm.

The monthly surveys are an excellent opportunity for any novices to learn more by being out and about with some really good knowledgeable spotters and get a feel for the sights and sounds of our local birds through the seasons. We are always happy to have new volunteers and everyone will be made very welcome. If you are interested in joining the monthly survey walks or in any other aspects of our conservation work at Linacre please let us know, either via the website, by phone (contact Peter on 01246 411460) or at the monthly indoor meetings. Additionally, if you visit Linacre by yourself and you spot anything, please let us know so that we can add it to the database that we are building up for this site.
We meet once a month on a Saturday morning at 8.30am in the Lower Car Park and finish the survey walk by 11:30am. Please feel free to come along.
Local member Peter Stoppard now edits a blog entitled Linacreblogger with regular updates (see Links)
Dates for 2011 are: 15th January, 12th February, 12th March, 16th April, 14th May, 11th June, 16th July, 13th August, 17th September, 15th October, 19th November, 17th December.