Due to her fantastic summer fun events keeping her very busy, Heather has allowed me to take over her job of blogger for the first time. Which I guess means I should introduce myself. Hello, name is Adam and I am one of the day volunteers at RSPB Coombes Valley.
A few days ago, myself and one of the other day volunteers, Becky, went for a walk round the reserve to see what was out and about. The top meadow started the proceedings with good views of two kestrels. It is likely the noisy pair were a parent and fledgling coming to the end of their relationship. There were also other noisy families of jays in the top meadow and all over the reserve. These colourful members of the Corvid family are well known for eating acorns, which are just about growing on the oak trees on site.
Our walk took us into Clough Meadow, where there were butterflies aplenty. Many species were soaking up the early sun, but my personal favourite was the Comma.
(Image of Comma butterfly copyright of David Tomlinson)
Birds of prey, which included a sparrowhawk and three buzzards, were also enjoying the sun as they soared effortlessly on the thermals high above the reserve. It wasn't quite warm enough for dragonflies but if you visit the reserve a little later on a warm day you might see Common Darter and Brown Hawker dragonflies down by the pond.
With our walk almost over, we stood outside the office deciding who would write the blog. The reserve had one more surprise up its sleeve though. A hobby flew straight over us being mobbed by a squadron of swallows! This is the second time a hobby has been seen over the last couple of days, the previous time it caught one of its aggressors. It is well worth sitting in the picnic area after your walk around the reserve, keeping an ear out for the swallows getting very vocal.
That's all from me for now. There are still places available for the final summer fun event which is this coming Thursday, the 26th August. Call the office on (01538) 384017 to book.
Adam Machin.