Just beside Old Moor’s Visitor Centre is a small garden. It is managed for wildlife by one of the reserve’s most unassuming volunteers, Martin. It is he who is the ‘grandad’ of ‘grandad’s shed’ fame.
Not only is Martin’s garden looking absolutely beautiful at the moment, but it’s also teeming with wildlife. Next time you visit, bring a magnifying glass (oh, alright, a mobile phone will do) and just gently have a look at stunning creatures that crawl, skuttle and flutter around Martin’s garden. It’s an eye-opener I can tell you!
Here’s what was seen out there today…
So not only does tonight’s blog celebrate the birds of Old Moor but it also focuses on the world of the tiniest creatures that inhabit the reserve. There’s also a special guest appearance from myself – well, part of me at least!
As I’ve mentioned before, young birds are all around Old Moor right now. They are growing fast and in race against time to be fit for the winter ahead. On the Mere, the shelducks seem to have been more successful this year and their ducklings are mostly independent of the adult birds.
On Green Lane this afternoon, I came across another independent youngster kicking around in leaf litter. The question is, ‘Whose baby?’
Around the Wildlife Ponds there was quite a bug-hunt going on this afternoon. What you see below, on the leaf above my thumbnail, is an egg. Around fourteen days ago it was laid there by a moth. It’s empty now, but this tiny container held a caterpillar that is now free of it, and quietly eating its own bodyweight in greens somewhere nearby.
Moth egg shell from Jane Wilkinson. Thanks Jane.
Also nearby, the jewel-like hairy shield bugs have woken from their winter sleep and are busy looking for mates.
Hairy shield bug. Another from Jane - thanks again.
There is a flurry of activity everywhere at Old Moor at present that it’s difficult at times to take it all in! I’ll sign off tonight with a bird that has been missing on the reserve of late. Today two little egret were hunting on the main marsh and lucky visitors at Wath Ings were treated to the whole show – leg-puddling, leaping, stalking and stabbing. So here as a final image of the day, is the patience of an egret.
Until next time.
Any second now…