Around this time of the year, we begin to build a picture of breeding success on our nature reserves. It's an important opportunity to take stock on how some of the 15,000 species on our estate are faring.
We're expecting mixed results this year.
I am pessimistic about the final results from our seabird colonies. In July, we reported (here) that the cold spring had hit Scottish seabirds hard: counts on some sites showed an 87 per cent reduction in the number of kittiwakes compared with 2000; razorbills down 57 per cent and guillemots have declined by 46 per cent during the same period. We'll share the final results soon and I have no doubt that they will provide the latest justification for greater investment in seabird conservation.
But, it's not all bad news.
This week, for example, we reported the exciting news that the short-haired bumblebee had nested on our Dungeness reserve for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. This is just great and gives us confidence that the reintroduction will prove to be as successful as previous schemes eg for corncrakes, cirl buntings, red kites, white-tailed eagle and cranes. The short-haired bumblebee success has come about thanks to a strong partnership, fine leadership from Dr Nikki Gammans and aided by a number of dedicated volunteers. Congratulations to all those involved.
Short-haired bumblebee by Nick Withers
And emerging evidence suggests that other insects have done well this year. Our bee news came in the week that Butterfly Conservation reported the results of their Big Butterfly Count. These showed that the hot summer had helped some species bounce back after a few awful wet summers. And it's not just butterflies that have enjoyed the summer...
...the Moths Count recording scheme, which RSPB helped Butterfly Conservation to establish, now has over 15 million moth records with 1.3 million in the last year.
..there was a record 22 dark bordered beauty moths recorded at RSPB Insh Marshes giving us hope that this species has survived the last two summers of very poor weather.
Insh Marshes. Photo taken by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
...334 species of moth were recorded at the Lodge this year. And I hear that the keen moth-ers within the RSPB staff might have more species to add to this list once they submit all their records come.
The Lodge. Photo taken by Stuart Geeves (rspb-images.com)
I hope to report more good news from around our estate soon, including (but whisper it carefully) breeding waders. Until then, get out and enjoy the sunshine that is promised for the weekend. I'm off to the seaside... to Brighton for the Labour Party conference... and the fabulous starling roosts on the piers.
Lovely post, though I can think of much better reasons than a political party conference to visit Brighton! Hope you see loads of starlings.