Well, the end of an era is upon us........ Two of our residential volunteers (Phillip Catton and Ryan Woodcock) are away to pastures new, both having got jobs with the R.S.P.B. in other parts of the country. Phill is away to Islay with a full time contract and Ryan is away to West Sedgemoor for a six month contract initially with a possibility of extension. So I wish them both well in their new careers. This week, again, the team have spent a lot of time at Labrador bay spot spraying the ragwort attempting to control the problem. We are making headway I think. I have spent a couple of days on the quad with the weed wiper controlling the soft rush and the tufted hair grass. Both of these species have to be controlled in order to stop their spread and to maximise the grazing area within the reserve. It has been relatively quiet with regards to birds on the reserves over the past week, with my highlight being a hobby quartering the fields and hunting around me whilst I was weed wiping taking advantage of my putting the insects up whilst I was driving through the fields . We also had a red kite passing over the Exminster reserve.
With regards to the lapwing, most of the chicks are almost up to fledging, with lots of preening and testing of wings, so they will be away very soon. We also have a very late sitting bird, so hopefully she will be just as successful as the other proud parents. Today we will be carrying out the first dragonfly survey of the season. Whilst weed wiping yesterday, I am sure that I saw a Scarce chaser, so hopefully that can be confirmed today.
Whilst we were at Labrador bay we have found some beautiful orchids. The Early Purples are out in abundance and also found was this rather beautiful Southern Marsh orchid.
Early Purple Orchid Photo Credit: Steve Cooper
Southern Marsh Orchid Photo Credit: Steve Cooper