We're in the last Summer month and rains have soaked the reserve but that dosen't mean theres nothing to see! Great black birds dive in the sky and poisonous plants spring from the earth. Theres been a wealth of sightings recently at Coombes but heres a pick of some of the best:
Ravens - These huge corvids have been displaying to each other with their aerial acrobatics over the top meadow. Once these intelligent birds pair it tends to be for life!
Hedge Woundwort - You can find the hairy leaves and pretty pink flowers of this wort at the beginning of the woodcock trail. Its said to have an incredibly pungent smell when crushed so watch where you tread!
(Hedge Woundwort, photo by Simon Gray)
Large White - The larger of the so called cabbage whites due to their caterpillars preference for cultivated cabbages and brussel sprouts this butterfly is easily recognised simply by its size and its more pointed forewing which can be seen in this photograph.
(Large White, photo by Simon Gray)
Hummingbird Hawk Moth - While sitting in the visitor centre I caught a glimpse of something flitting around one of the hanging baskets. I ran outside to find one of these incredible creatures darting from flower to flower.
Dark Green Fritillary - This could well be the first record of this powerful butterfly at RSPB Coombes Valley!! I spent half an hour chasing what I could only make out as a fritillary and 2 days later our site manager Jarrod Sneyd came across 2 individuals which settled long enough for him to identify!
Six Spot Burnet - These day flying moths have an unmistakable flight with striking black and red patterned wings. This is the most widespread burnet moth in the UK and its caterpillars feed on bird foots trefoil which is found throughout Coombes.
(6 Spot Burnet Moth, photo by Lizzy Ingram)
Sneezewort - This plant can be found on the edge of the main track. Its pungent smell is said to induce sneezing while its leaves are actually poisonous to livestock!
(Sneezewort, photo by Simon Gray)
Bullfinch - Our reserve assistant Carl Capewell spotted some of these dapper looking finches down in the valley, the male singing his sad little song which is such a contrast to its beautiful pink, black and grey plumage. Bullfinches can be seen anywhere around Coombes but the best place to see them is on the edges of the woodland.
(Bullfinch, RSPB images)
What wildlife have you spotted during your visit? Have you seen the sparrowhawk threatening the newly fledged blue tits and great tits on the feeder? What about the soldier beetles mating on the thistle flowers in Clough Meadow? Theres so much life in this valley, all you have to do is take a walk through it!