A Day in the Life
The RSPB has always been a volunteer led organisation, from it’s very beginnings. We couldn’t do the work we do without the support of the dedicated volunteers throughout the RSPB but especially here at Blacktoft. We’re really lucky to have the best volunteers in the organisation (OK I’m a bit biased here) but they are fantastic!
So, before I delve into what’s happening at the ‘Sands’ here’s the perspective of one of our longer serving (and infinitely wise) reception volunteers, Pat Crofton.
A Day in the Life ……………
Blacktoft Sands Reserve is a magical place. It has the largest inter-tidal reedbed in England and, to me, it is this which provides the magic. Whether it’s the nature of the light reflecting on the phragmites, the constant movement of birds, the optical illusion of ships on the River Ouse appearing to move through the reedbed or the effect the place has on our visitors, it exudes a charm that is hard to match. Long before I was a volunteer I was smitten with its tranquillity when I attended three successive guided walks with an Information Officer called Nick to learn my waders. If you’re still out there Nick, thanks for the excellent grounding you gave me.
I started as a volunteer in March 2004, working in the Reception Hide every Thursday from March through to October or November, meeting and greeting, giving information and recruiting new members. No two days are alike but here is a flavour of a typical day at, what is to me, the best RSPB reserve in the UK. I have now completed 18 years.
My first job is to gather the early bird news from a member of staff who has walked around the reserve by the time I arrive at 9 o’clock. As he leaves, I see a small group of visitors scanning the reeds on either side of the path and decide to join them. Spring visitors might ask for help with distinguishing the songs of Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler while later in the year they might be looking at a small flock of Bearded Tit which will be just some of the hundreds who have bred here and are now erupting.
Once a WEA ornithology class visited and I faced a bit of a dilemma. They were concentrating hard on finding warblers in the reeds and it was obvious they were receiving tuition but, a few feet away from Reception I had a Barn Owl perched in full sunlight, every feather reflecting the light. It didn’t take me long to decide to go out and tell the group and, needless to say, I was almost bowled over in the stampede! For the next twenty minutes the owl gave a master class in flying, hunting, swooping and turning, seeming to stare straight at us as it passed the window before landing again on its perch.
As with all visitors, this group didn’t know where to look first. Should they focus on the owl or on the four Marsh Harriers gliding low and effortlessly over the reeds? Marsh Harriers breed very successfully at Blacktoft and a number of birds over-winter with us providing a year-round spectacle. In winter Hen Harriers roost in the reedbed: there can be few places in the country where it’s possible to see both harriers in the air at the same time.
A lone visitor arrives and it is soon clear that he is a novice. Reception Hide gives good views of two of our lagoons, as well as the scrub, so I point out the birds we can see and get the telescope on to them. The omnipresent Marsh Harriers are “lifers” for him and although I watch them week in, week out, I don’t try to suppress my excitement at seeing them. A Bittern booms quite close and I show him the relevant page in his field guide so he knows what to look out for as he sets off on his first visit, but no promises of course!
I know he will he helped to identify birds as he moves from hide to hide as Blacktoft attracts a faithful group of regulars who are a friendly bunch and who are only too keen to pass on their considerable knowledge. I see familiar faces week after week; like me they never tire of the place.
Thursdays are often the quietest day for visitors which means I can give time to each individual or group who arrive. I like to think I share my enthusiasm for the birds, tell them what they might see and point them in the right direction but I leave the charm to Blacktoft itself. From the number of people who have put their heads around the door to express their pleasure after the visit, I think they too have absorbed the magic.
Pat Crofton.
We’re always on the look out for enthusiastic people to help support conservation and nature with us. If you have a little time to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!
Contact: Daz via Blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk darren.johnson@rspb.org.uk or call 01405 704665
What’s About …
This time of year our star attraction has to be the raptor roost. A phenomenon which never ceases to amaze me. The last week or so has been no exception, 18 marsh harriers in the air at one point and at least 3 hen harriers in separate sightings including at Whitton Island.
Male hen harrier over Blacktoft (Pic: Andy H)
Young Male over Whitton Island (Pic: P. Short)
Marsh harrier (Pic: D.Johnson)
Of course marsh harriers continue to impress. Most afternoons (weather permitting) they continue to give us a great display floating over the reed bed (especially from Singleton Hide). The last few days it’s been amusing to watch as they occasionally mob a buzzard which has been frequenting the area.
Kingfisher (Pic: D.Johnson)
Whilst the harrier action continues this kingfisher has been running the gauntlet feeding around singleton too.
Buzzard (Pic: D.Johnson)
Other raptors include barn owl, kestrel and sparrow hawk.
Barn owl (Pic: Andy H)
The barn owl has been a regular spot. It seems to be roosting in the box out towards the trent (visible using a decent scope) before setting off to hunt in the late afternoon as light fades.
Heron gulping down a small rodent. (Pic: D.Johnson)
Sparrow hawk (Pic: Andy H)
Of course the result of all those raptors can be quite brutal!
Fieldfare feathers on ousefleet path (Pic: P.Short)
Pete found the evidence of the demise of this fieldfare on Ousefleet path recently. Although a little gruesome it is the reality of nature.
Fieldfare (Pic: D.Johnson)
There’s still plenty of fieldfare around though. They are a regular visitor at this time of year. They are easily spotted around the picnic area and across Horseshoe Meadow – preferring to roost in the trees adjacent to the arable field. I have spotted the odd redwing amongst them too.
Starlings on meadow (Pic: D.Johnson)
Starling have been favouring the meadow too. Another encounter I had yesterday first thing was a beautiful mistle thrush in fine song. Of course the camera was in the car whilst I was doing other stuff but there has been a few flocks of thrush moving through as well – always a pleasure to see.
As the seasons change so do the trees. One of the advantages of the changes, the sparseness of the trees. It increases the chances of seeing some of our year round tree dwelling birds.
Tree sparrow (Pic: D.Johnson)
Dunnock (Pic D.Johnson)
Great tit (Pic: D.Johnson)
Reed bunting taking grit (Pic: D.Johnson)
Others including blue tit and chaffinch are easy to spot too. Whilst not so easy to spot (at any time of year) cettis warblers have been singing their merry little heads off – I think there’s at least 5! It’s not so long ago that these were considered a rarity. I still remember the excitement at hearing my first one at Potteric Carr around 15 years ago now.
Green finch around Ousefleet (Pic: D.Johnson)
Green finch have stuck around too, often joining the goldfinch flocks feeding on seed heads.
Stonechat (Pic: D.Johnson)
Moving away from the trees towards the lagoons and reed beds there’s been a ‘bumper crop’ of stonechat appearing across the reserve.
Whilst the waterfowl still seem to be favouring the estuary there’s still been plenty around the lagoons to see.
Ducks on the river Trent (Pic: P.Short)
Widgeon on first lagoon (Pic: D.Johnson)
Teal, gadwall and shoveler have been prevalent with a brief day visit from a flock of shelduck a few days back.
Little grebe (Pic D.Johnson)
As well as a regular on Ousefleet lagoon this little grebe graced us with it’s presence at singleton.
Golden plover (Pic: P.Short)
Golden plover over Ousefleet
Impressive numbers of golden plover are still rising from the estuary on a regular basis. Pete caught this flock over Ousefleet this week with regular sighting across the grazing marsh too.
“I’ve never seen so many snipe in one place” – quote from one of our visitors. And it’s true there has been many snipe around. I counted 18 on one of the small islands at Ousefleet but they also appeared at Marshland and Singleton.
Snipe (Pic: D.Johnson)
Red shank on grazing marsh (Pic: P.Short)
Whilst migrant waders are few and far between red shank are still here, and black tailed godwits are dropping in from time to time.
Lapwing with shoveler and teal (Pic: D.Johnson)
Barnacle goose (Pic: D.Johnson)
Barnacle geese around the Humber are mainly feral. There’s a population of around 1900 now with 250ish pairs breeding on Whitton Island this season. Some do come from other areas like Scandinavia when conditions are right but it’s highly likely this one, snapped on arable next to horseshoe meadow, originates from the feral flock.
Orange peel fungus
Damp conditions can often throw up the most unusual things. Pete stumbled across (not literally) this orange peel fungus. Please remember unless you are very competent at identifying fungus they are best left well alone!
And Finally…
We’re re-booting events at Blacktoft and here’s your chance to get VIP early access to Blacktoft this December.
Pull on your winter togs and join us for an exhilarating experience watching harriers leave their overnight roost.
Get exclusive early access to the best views of amazing raptors as they rise from the reeds, at the heart of the Humber.
This VIP event is a must for photographers and new enthusiasts alike. Our friendly and experienced guides will help you spot, identify and capture magnificent wildlife as it emerges. Take in the amazing sunrise vista across the marsh, weather permitting of course!
Check here for details :-
https://events.rspb.org.uk/blacktoftsands
facebook.com/RSPBBlacktoftSands
twitter.com/Blacktoft_Sands