Exminster Reserves : The Lapwing monitoring on the Powderham side of the reserve is now coming into full swing with time being set aside for checking on the birds at least three times a week. We have a lot of displaying taking place with the characteristic flights, scraping and material throwing a regular occurrence. Some birds are also clearly starting to sit on the nest. The Cirl Bunting on the reserve are in full singing voice too, with at least four male birds singing their hearts out in the hedge rows.
Following some graffiti which has occurred recently, the decision was made to fit CCTV cameras in two parts of the reserve. Hopefully this will deter and curtail future art work.
We have also fitted up five bat boxes within two old oak trees on the reserve to encourage and support the resident species that are present the on the reserve. Notable species which we hope to encourage are the already present Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats respectively. These maps show the distribution of the Greater Horseshoe and Lesser Horseshoe Bats respectively within the UK. Courtesy of the Bat Conservation Trust.
Greater Horseshoe Bat Distribution
Lesser Horseshoe Distribution
We have also had some mammalian footprints found within the boundary of the predator fence, thus we have erected a trail cam which will hopefully catch the perpetrator on camera. If there were to be sweep stake..... My money would be on Otter.
With lots of willing help from our dedicated band of volunteers on our Thursday work parties, the hedge laying along the turf path has now been completed.
Goose Moor: On Goose Moor we have been in collaboration with the Devon Wildlife Trust to identify, split and move some areas of the Sea Club Rush ( Scirpus martitimus) to reinstate in places which were lost after the construction of cycle bridge over the Clyst. This is a relatively hardy plant so we are able to split larger areas of the rush and move it to where it is needed.
Steve Cooper
Residential Volunteer
RSPB Exe Estuary Reserves