Todays recent sightings blog is written by Visitor Engagement volunteer Aimee. Read on to find out what has been seen on the reserve this week.
It is that time of week again, Friday, yes that does mean the weekend but more importantly its time to update you on what has been seen over this last week. As Becky mentioned last week our feeders by the viewing platform are getting a lot of visitors this time of year. I (Aimee) stood watching them for, a very chilly, 10 minutes last Sunday and was treated to a whole host of species. With in a matter of minutes blue tits and coal tits were gorging themselves on the food. Shortly after a bird which is strongly associated with the festive season joined in a robin. I decided to leave them in peace enjoying their food only to see a great spotted woodpecker too land on the feeders.
(Just a few of the visitors to the feeders- by Aimee Burrows)
It has not just been at the feeders where there has been a lot of activity but deep in the reserve too. The volunteers have spotted flocks of redwings, fieldfares, a jay, jackdaws, a merlin, goldcrests and flocks of starlings. Out on the reserve the residential volunteers saw eight buzzards using the thermals in the air to sore across the fields looking for prey and on my way to the office I was greeted by a family group of long-tailed tits singing in the trees.
(Goldcrest- RSPB Images)
One of my personal favourites and only the second time I have been able to spot it is the tiny wren. I heard it before I saw it, it’s extremely loud ‘tic-tic-tic’ call is astonishingly powerful for such a tiny bird. I followed its call to see it on a wooden post next to the viewing platform exhibiting its typical behaviour of cocking its tail up and down. The wren is one of the most widespread species in Britain and Ireland with an estimated 8.5 million territories in the UK.
(Wren- RSPB images)
A brambling was heard near the education barn its rising ‘tchway’ song can be heard both when perched and in flight. These birds are winter visitors to our shores arriving in September and leaving again in March. During winter bramblings forge large flocks where food is located with these flocks sometimes reaching sizes up to tens of thousands. The oldest recorded wild brambling was fourteen years old!
(Brambling- RSPB images)
I spotted a couple of red admiral’s a few weeks ago and one of them landed on my head! This species typically flys throughout October and November thanks to an influx of migrants during the summer who breed here in the UK equating to a fresh emergance of butterflies from July. Now into December there are only a few which are braving the cold, however on a sunny day they can still be seen flying overhead; just like the one Becky spotted a couple of days ago.
(Red admiral- By Becky Austin)
Typically the moth trap is set up over the summer evenings however last week it was left out overnight to see what would appear. A red-green carpet moth (shown below) was found in the trap. This would be a female of the species as only females overwinter here in the UK. Typically this species is seen flying throughout September to November.
(Red-green carpet moth- By Becky Austin)
One of our volunteers spotted this lovely 6 spotted ladybird tucked between a leaf hibernating for the winter. Ladybirds sleep through the entire winter therefore they need to make sure that they have consumed enough food during summer to be able to survive the winter.
(Ladybird- By Becky Austin)
Sometimes you may find some ladybirds in your house, if you do find them you need to put them outside otherwise when the central heating kicks in they will wake up from hibernation. Sheds are a good place to put the ladybirds if you find them in your house. However, even better places for ladybirds to hibernate are ladybird houses, which can be bought or made. By simply tying some hollowed sticks or bamboo cane and straws together with some string you can create a perfect luxury ladybird retreat. However if you are not feeling too creative you can purchase ready made houses from the RSPB shop (http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/birds-wildlife/wildlife/insects/ladybird-bug-box.html) or get the one pictured below as a free gift when you become a member of the RSPB.
(Ladybird homes- by Aimee Burrows)
In the depths of winter it is great to see the reserve alive with so many species. Just taking a couple of minutes out of the day to stand still and look at what wildlife spectacles you can witness., Be it a flock of starlings, to a butterfly making the most of the last winter sunshine. But remember there are things you can do in your own back garden to help out wildlife over winter. For more ideas of how you can help give nature a home, follow the link below: http://homes.rspb.org.uk/.