May’s work parties kicked off with the planting of 500 devil’s-bit scabious plants. This species (pictured) thrives in damp environments such as wet meadows, marshes, and on riverbanks. It is also exclusively the foodplant of the declining marsh fritillary caterpillar, a priority species under the UK post-2010 Biodiversity Framework, which has been found on the reserve recently. Over the last few years, hundreds of this devil’s-bit scabious plugs (pictured) have been planted around the reserve but, as the area of fen and wet meadows increases, new opportunities for planting arise and a network of habitat suitable for this vulnerable butterfly can be created. Talking of vulnerable species, as we walked to the planting site, we were lucky enough to hear a willow tit singing from the neighbouring Cumbria Wildlife Trust site!
(courtesy of the Wildlife Trust)
The second work party of the month saw us return to East Block for the second of three snipe surveys. At this stage of the year, we would firmly expect any snipe we see or hear to be on territory and there were numerous birds flushed and heard to be chipping and drumming. Other bird species seen included reed buntings, stonechats, skylarks, and meadow pipits. We were also treated to four different raptor species: marsh harrier, buzzard, kestrel, and a peregrine falcon circling above us as we finished for lunch. It was a beautiful day, so much so that it would have been rude not to have a break amongst the grasses and rushes, as can be seen below!
The following week, the volunteers were back to the hard graft. We were out maintaining the hedges laid this year and last up the main lonning. During summer, with the hedges low to the ground, surrounding vegetation tends to shade out the regrowth. Cutting back the grass, weeds, brambles, and nettles really helps the hedges grow back quicker and stronger. Hard work in the heat but worth it!
May came full circle by starting with devil’s-bit scabious planting and ending with a marsh fritillary survey. Small groups of volunteers spread out to check for the butterfly (pictured) – which can be seen from mid-May to mid-July – across all the spots that devil’s-bit scabious can be found. None were seen, however, and we concluded that it was perhaps still a little early given that one of the butterfly’s preferred nectar sources, meadow thistle, wasn’t yet in flower. One to keep an eye on in the coming weeks! Elsewhere, we saw lizards, blue-tailed damselflies, a few different orchid species coming into flower, a marsh harrier, and a sleeping roe deer fawn nestled in the grass (pictured)! A water rail was heard in Holton Fen as well.
(courtesy of Iain Leach, via Butterfly Conservation)
We are always on the look-out for new volunteers to join us at Campfield Marsh (and Hodbarrow). We meet on Thursday mornings. If you are interested in helping with the sort of tasks mentioned above, meeting new people, developing new skills, and enjoying the outdoors, click on the following link to find out more and apply: Practical Reserve Work (Campfield Marsh, Bowness On Solway) | RSPB Volunteering.