Aire Valley - Fairburn Ings and St Aidan's

Aire Valley sightings blog- 15 April 2023

2023-04-16T06:00:00Z

Someone has finally let the sun know that Spring is here! The wet and cold days from the last few weeks have been replaced with some glorious warm weather just in time for Easter! From blooming daffodils, to migrating sand martins beginning to arrive from Africa, it won’t be long until Spring is in full swing!

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB Fairburn Ings have been:

Willow warbler
Peregrine falcon
Marsh harrier
Wheatear
Redshank
Great spotted woodpecker
Red kite
Yellowhammer
Goldeneye
Avocet

Our star species this week is the avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). This fantastically patterned wader is the emblem for the RSPB and massively symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK. Their return and gradual recovery in the late 1940’s represents one of the best conservation success stories!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Whooper swan, canada goose, pink-footed goose, great white egret, little egret, spoonbill, grey heron, cormorant, common tern, black-necked grebe, kingfisher, goldeneye, shelduck, tufted duck, shoveler, wigeon, gadwall, mallard, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, redshank, little ringed plover, teal, avocet,
Sand martin, willow warbler, wheatear, bearded tit, skylark, blackcap, yellowhammer, redwing, fieldfare, raven, green woodpecker, blackbird, wren, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch
Red kite, buzzard, peregrine falcon, marsh harrier, kestrel

The top ten sightings at RSPB St Aidan’s recently have been:

Osprey
Swallow
Kittiwake
Little owl
Bittern
Black-necked grebe
Ruff
Barn owl
Water pipit
Sand martin

Our star species this week is the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). This impressive bird of prey spends Winter in West Africa before returning to the UK in Spring to breed. They’re largely monogamous (have one mate at a time) and will often nest in the same spot with the same mate each year. We have no nesting ospreys here in the Aire Valley however each year we get exciting migrating osprey sightings as they stop off to refuel!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Kingfisher, goldeneye, shelduck, shoveler, tufted duck, wigeon, gadwall, pochard, mallard, coot, moorhen, oystercatcher, lapwing, water pipit, redshank, common tern, kittiwake, Mediterranean gull, black – headed gull, barnacle goose, Canada goose, greylag goose, whooper swan, mute swan, little egret, great crested grebe, black-necked grebe, bittern, grey heron, cormorant, ruff, avocet, little ringed plover, black-tailed godwit, black-necked grebe, woodcock, yellow wagtail, dunlin, curlew, green sandpiper,
Swallow, sand martin, house martin, blackcap, blackbird, wren, bluetit, great tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, brambling, tree sparrow, dunnock, chiffchaff, skylark, meadow pipit, willow warbler, reed warbler, cetti’s warbler, reed bunting, bearded tit, fieldfare, redwing, wood pigeon, magpie, crow, raven, pheasant, green woodpecker,
Osprey, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, red kite, marsh harrier, little owl, barn owl
Brown hare, roe deer, stoat

When you're out and about at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan's do let us know what you spot.

You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by letting us know on social media!

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Happy spotting!

Developing the Community Engagement Volunteer Team

2023-04-09T09:13:00Z

As we move into our busy summer season here in the Aire Valley we're currently developing RSPB St Aidan's Community Engagement Volunteer Team. As a Community Engagement Volunteer, you will assist and support the work of Jo our Community Engagement Officer both onsite at RSPB St Aidan’s and out and about in the ‘local community’.

If you enjoy meeting people of all ages and helping at a range of events there could be a role for you! You will be able to develop in a direction that you choose if you wish, such as working specifically with older people or with children or young people, on the reserve or out at events in the community.

Main duties could include:

Assisting at a wide range of outreach events e.g. older people’s coffee mornings, community events, school fetes, community galas, children’s Breeze events, talks and other engagement activities. This will include setting up stalls (gazebo & tables), having conversations with the public about activities and events that are happening at St Aidan’s and the work of the RSPB and engaging the public in ‘hands-on’ activities – these may be aimed particularly at children.
Assisting with a wide range of onsite events e.g. community litter picks, community muck-in days, guided walks, children’s activities, community open days. Duties as outreach events.
Engage visitors in important messaging and campaigns on site; this might include ‘Dogs on Leads’, ‘Dangerous Fires – no BBQ’s, cigarettes & fires, ‘Litter free & keeping the site tidy’.
Help with publicity – putting posters up both on site and in the local community, finding new places to place information locally (physical places and online).
Help with visitor surveys & focus groups on site, community surveys & focus groups off site.
Help to develop and deliver a further programme of outreach events and activities both on and off site.
The role is flexible and won't have fixed days or hours and is likely to include some evenings & weekends.

To find out more click here or pop into the Little Owl Café and speak to Jo, our Community Engagement Officer, or email joanna.lee@rspb.org.uk

Wild Isles – Native woodlands in West Yorkshire

2023-03-21T09:36:00Z

This week’s episode of Wild Isle showcased some of our amazing woodlands and the species that call them home. From ancient woodlands to lush forests, the UK’s trees are brilliant for biodiversity, but it’s a real balancing act to plant the right tree in the right place. Trees are just one of the ways we can capture carbon to help combat the Nature and Climate Emergency. At RSPB Fairburn Ings, we carefully manage our woodlands to create ideal habitats for one of our rarest bird species – willow tits.

Misty boardwalk through habitat at RSPB Fairburn Ings (Rosie Dutton, RSPB-Images.com)

What does the right tree in the right place look like in West Yorkshire?

Staff and volunteers at RSPB Fairburn Ings work tirelessly to provide a home for willow tits. These small birds are larger than a blue tit and smaller than a great tit, with a sooty-black cap extending from the back of the neck to a small, untidy black bib. They are mid-brown above, with whiter cheeks and pale buff-grey underpart, and can be difficult to tell apart from the Marsh Tit on sight, yet sound and location can often help people tell the two apart. Its recent population declines make it a Red List species. Although they’re hard to find, partly due to lack of suitable habitats, we’re lucky to have them in West Yorkshire.

Willow tit being handled (Credit: Jeff Wragg)

In some cases, the right tree in the right place might not be what you expect. Willow tits nest in dead, rotting wood, hammering away at the wood to make a hole - displaying all the ambition of a much larger woodpecker. Dead wood also supports hundreds of species of invertebrates, making it ideal for finding a meal without having to go far. When the team at Fairburn Ings cut back birch trees in the woodland, they sometimes stap the cuttings to other trees, making a suitable nest site for willow tits – the birds prefer upright trees to nest in, which can be hard to find. Another of our nature reserves, RSPB Old Moor in neighbouring South Yorkshire, also does this. Dead wood is much easier for them to nest in than healthy trees, which have harder bark that willow tits aren’t equipped to deal with.

What are the RSPB doing to help?

At RSPB Fairburn Ings, we have two main priorities: to create decaying wood for habitats and nest building; and to keep our native species healthy. Without a variety of native trees – both living and decaying – we wouldn’t be able to support so many species.

One such tree we preserve is oak, using a technique called ‘halo trimming’, which involves cutting a thin ring around an oak tree to give it a chance to mature. This is something we also do at other nature reserves.

Part of the process of managing our native species also means removing trees that don’t belong there. By taking these trees out of our woodland, we give more room to native trees that are much better for the wildlife at RSPB Fairburn Ings. Sycamore is removed from our woodland, because although it’s a naturalised species in the UK, it’s non-native, so has no benefit for species that have adapted to live on other types of tree.

What are our volunteers doing to help?

Keiran Bull, visitor experience manager at RSPB Fairburn Ings, said: “The willow tit is one of the UK’s most threatened resident species, with its numbers declining 94 per cent over the past 50 years. Fairburn Ings is one of the last remaining strongholds for willow tits in the UK, and we’re doing everything we can to help them.

“Before I joined the RSPB, I’d never even seen one, but when I see the effort our staff and volunteers put in, and catch the occasional glimpse of them, especially during the breeding season, it makes me so happy. It’s incredible to know this precious bird has a home here.

“But willow tits aren’t the only important species we have at Fairburn Ings, and by carefully managing our woodland, we can help other birds, like tree sparrows or great spotted woodpecker flourish here, in the trees they are specially adapted to live, nest and feed in.”

What can I do to help?

The RSPB is always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you’d like to be involved in woodland management, tree planting and habitat creation at RSPB Fairburn Ings, check out our volunteering page.

Air Valley Sightings Blog - 19 March 2023

2023-03-19T12:25:00Z

Signs of spring are really starting to show themselves at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan's. Sand martins have been spotted at St Aidan's, as as well as a wheatear and avocets. Lots of the birds are also getting into their best plumage ready for breeding season, and early spring flowers are popping up everywhere.

The top ten sightings recently at Fairburn Ings have been:

Great spotted woodpecker
Goldeneye
Avocet
Spoonbill
Jack snipe
Stonechat
Great white egret
Cetti's warbler
Marsh harrier
Pink-footed goose

Our star species this week is the greater spotted woodpecker. These are quite elusive birds, but they can often be heard drumming away up in the treetops.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Blue tit, goldfinch, robin, reed bunting, Cetti's warbler, long-tailed tit, great tit, chaffinch, stonechat, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker and green woodpecker

Goldeneye, Canada goose, great white egret, pink-footed goose, spoonbill, jack snipe, avocet, grey heron, cormorant, black necked grebe, mallard, teal, whooper swan, gadwall and great crested grebe

Red kite, kestrel and marsh harrier

Roe deer

The top ten sightings at St Aidan's recently have been:

White fronted goose
Avocet
Wheatear
Sandmartin
Barnacle goose
Black-tailed godwit
Bearded tit
Herring gull
Golden plover
Little ringed plover

Our star species this week is the herring gull. Often perceived as a common, chip-stealing bird at the seaside, our herring gulls are actually in decline and are red-listed birds! They're not just found at the seaside either!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Wheatear, sandmartin, lesser redpoll, bearded tit, goldfinch, stonechat, water pipit, siskin, Cetti's warbler, grey wagtail, chiffchaff and redwing

White fronted goose, herring gull, little ringed plover, golden plover, black tailed godwit, barnacle goose, avocet, whooper swan, pink footed goose, black necked grebe, dunlin, redshank, pinktail, bittern, oystercatcher, woodcock, Mediterranean gull, little egret and green sandpiper

Marsh harrier, buzzard, red kite, little owl and peregrine falcon

When you're out and about at our reserves, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by telling us on social media!

Happy spotting!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

To keep in touch, follow us on social media here:

The Dog Blog – Spring & the nesting season has arrived

2023-03-12T10:24:00Z

Despite the recent snowy weather Spring is officially here and the birds at both RSPB St Aidan’s and RSPB Fairburn Ings are thinking about nesting. Our great crested grebes are busy displaying, and the skylarks are already singing overhead.

You may have noticed the appearance of signs around our sites asking you to ‘please keep your dogs on leads’. We put these up at this time of year to remind those walking dogs of the damage that dogs (and people) can cause to the wildlife on our sites.

When asked where birds build their nest most children will tell you that they build them in trees but over half of England’s most threatened breeding species nest on or near to the ground.

Both St Aidan’s and Fairburn Ings are important breeding sites for many of these birds including skylark, lapwing, black-headed, grey partridge, and meadow pipits.

Allowing a dog to run wild or walking off paths can take you into the areas where these birds are nesting.

A skylark’s egg can be as small as a 5p piece. Birds nesting on the ground are at higher risk from predators; the nests and eggs they contain are often extremely well camouflaged, making them very hard to see and avoid. When the eggs hatch, the chicks are well camouflaged but extremely vulnerable. When scared, a chick’s instinct is to stay quiet and avoid detection, and when separated from their parents they can very quickly get cold and are at more risk from predators.

By keeping dogs on a short lead, sticking to paths, and watching your step and you can give rare ground nesting birds the best chance of survival and help to keep chicks safe.

Skylark image Dave Ward

Aire Valley Sightings Blog 6 March 2023

2023-03-06T10:36:00Z

The days are getting longer and the weather is, slowly but surely, warming up! That can only mean one thing…. SPRING is right around the corner! Many of our Winter visitors, such as Fieldfares and Redwings, will now be preparing to soon head home. Take a walk around the Aire Valley to see some of the signs of spring for yourself!

The top ten sightings at RSPB Fairburn Ings recently have been:

Red kite
Goldeneye
Fieldfare
Willow tit
Avocet
Marsh harrier
Cetti’s warbler
Peregrine falcon
Great crested grebe
Curlew

Our star species this week is the fieldfare! These large, eye-catching thrushes are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List with only 0-1 breeding pairs. They’re predominantly wintering birds within the UK therefore they’ll soon be returning to Russia and Scandinavia. While in the UK, they can often be seen intermixing with flocks of redwings in fields and woodlands. Check out our previous blog to discover more about fieldfares and redwings.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Avocet, shoveler, great crested grebe, spoonbill, great white egret, mute swan, pink footed goose, jack snipe, goldeneye, curlew, wigeon, lapwing, coot, gooseander and little grebe
Bullfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, robin, chiffchaff, blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, Cetti’s warbler, stonechat, fieldfare, redwing, meadow pipit, skylark, goldcrest, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker
Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier, buzzard, red kite, sparrowhawk and kestrel
Roe deer, red fox

The top ten sightings at RSPB St Aidan’s recently have been:

Goldcrest
Bittern
Black-tailed godwit
Peregrine falcon
Tree sparrow
Marsh harrier
Lesser redpoll
Kingfisher
Ringed plover
Jack snipe

Our star species this week is the bittern! During the Spring, male bitterns can be heard from up to three miles away making a loud booming call. They will begin to boom as early as January to establish territories and attract mates therefore listen out for booming bitterns the next time you are walking around the Aire Valley.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Barnacle goose, Canada goose, pink-footed goose, whooper swan, great white egret, little egret, bittern, green sandpiper, golden plover, ringed plover, curlew, redshank, black-tailed godwit, cetti’s warbler, water rail, dunlin, lapwing, pintail, gadwall, mallard, shelduck, wigeon, goldeneye, oystercatcher, moorhen, kingfisher, Caspian gull, Mediterranean gull,
Goldcrest, treecreeper, chiffchaff, bearded tit, redwing, lesser redpoll, siskin, stonechat, woodcock, great spotted woodpecker,
Marsh harrier, red kite, buzzard, peregrine falcon, kestrel, sparrowhawk

When you’re out and about at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan’s, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centre and Little Owl Cafe, or by letting us know on social media!

Happy spotting!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

To keep in touch, follow us on social media here:

Aire Valley Sightings Blog 20th February 2023

2023-02-20T11:06:00Z

There have been signs of spring popping up all over at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan’s, with greenfinches calling, snowdrops and crocuses popping up and busy feeders where the birds are feeding up ready for nesting season. However, there’s still some of our winter species about, like pink-footed geese and whooper swans, that will be gearing up to head home soon. Read on to find out all about what has been seen recently at the reserves.

The top ten sightings at Fairburn Ings recently have been:

Bullfinch
Meadow pipit
Goldcrest
Great spotted woodpecker
Green woodpecker
Goldeneye
Jack snipe
Peregrine falcon
Wigeon
Cetti’s warbler

Our star species this week is the goldcrest, which, alongside the firecrest, is the smallest bird in the UK!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Bullfinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, chaffinch, robin, Cetti’s warbler, stonechat, fieldfare, redwing, meadow pipit, skylark, goldcrest, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker and chiffchaff
Shoveler, great crested grebe, jack snipe, great white egret, pink footed goose, goldeneye, curlew, wigeon, lapwing, mute swan, coot, gooseander and little grebe
Marsh harrier, red kite, buzzard, peregrine falcon, sparrowhawk and kestrel
Roe deer

The top ten sightings at St Aidan’s recently have been:

Chiffchaff
Green sandpiper
Shelduck
Curlew
Hen harrier
Marsh harrier
Peregrine falcon
Mediterranean gull
Black tailed godwit
Jack snipe

Our star species this week is the jack snipe. Smaller than the common snipe, this bird is quite a rarity, so is very exciting to see!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Greenfinch, goldfinch, Cetti’s warbler, chiffchaff, song thrush, stonechat, stock dove, grey partridge, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, bearded tit and lesser redpoll
Whooper swan, Mediterranean gull, pink-footed goose, shelduck, curlew, gooseander, oystercatcher, green sandpiper, Caspian gull, black necked grebe, Iceland gull, pintail, black-tailed godwit, little grebe, water rail, ringed plover, barnacle goose, jack snipe, common snipe, great white egret, golden plover, woodcock and kingfisher
Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier and hen harrier
Peacock butterfly

When you’re out and about at Fairburn Ings and St Aidan’s, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by letting us know on social media! Happy spotting!

RSPB St Aidan’s Community Blog

2023-02-12T14:08:00Z

Would you like to get involved with community volunteering?

Jo, our Community Engagement Officer at St Aidan’s runs Community Volunteering events on the first Sunday morning of each month between 10am and 12pm.

We alternate between Litter Pick and Muck-In Events, meeting outside the Little Owl Café just before 10am. All equipment is provided (including gloves) but we do suggest that you wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Litter Picks – April, June, August, October & December

These are great events to get the whole family involved in to help keep the Park looking beautiful. We combine a walk with clearing litter around some of the more popular parts of the park. Don’t worry if you can’t stay for the full 2 hours, there is no obligation to stay for the whole event.

Muck-in – March, May, July, September & November

During these events we carry out a range of conservation-based activities. These are not suitable for young children, but older children and teenagers are very welcome.

Activities that we have carried out recently include tree

planting, Himalayan Balsam bashing, scrub clearance and dead hedge construction.

Here is a little more information about some of the tasks that we will be carrying out during future Muck-ins.

Dead Hedge Construction – Sunday March 5th

A dead hedge is an upright structure of woody cuttings woven between vertical stakes. The stakes are usually the sturdier branches cut from trees or shrubs. They provide a tangled maze and a perfect hideaway for birds such as blackbirds, robins, wren and dunnocks to nest and forage within.

You could even have a go at making your own dead hedge at home, they can make a great screen to separate areas or hide things like bins. They are a great way of using woody cuttings and prunings rather than putting them in your brown bin and can be built up over time. To find out more: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/nature-on-your-doorstep/garden-activities/build-a-dead-hedge-for-wildlife/

Himalayan Balsam Bashing – Sunday July 2nd

Himalayan Balsam was introduced to the UK as a garden plant in 1839 but soon escaped and today is found along riverbanks and ditches. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly smothering native flowers. Each Himalayan Balsam plant can produce up to 800 seeds and can shoot them up to 7 metres away. The main way that we control balsam is by ‘bashing’ – pulling the plants before they flower and set seed. It comes out of the ground easily with a gentle, forceful tug and the activity can be surprisingly mindful.

For further information about any of these events please get in touch with our Community Engagement Officer Jo by email Joanna.lee@rspb.org.uk or phone 07719 079 221.

Aire Valley Sightings Blog 5th February 2023

2023-02-05T10:27:00Z

It’s been another great week for wildlife sightings within the Aire valley! A tree sparrow has been making the occasional appearance around RSPB St Aidan’s. They’re smaller than a house sparrow and have unfortunately suffered a devastating decline making them a red list species. Visitors over at RSPB Fairburn Ings are still enjoying the winter birds such as Goldeneye, Fieldfare, and Redwing. Most birds which spend their winter in England will usually leave in February or March however its not uncommon for some to stay longer. There are however small breeding populations of Goldeneye and Redwing in Scotland.

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB Fairburn Ings have been:

Goldeneye
Little Grebe
Marsh Harrier
Fieldfare
Red Kite
Meadow Pipit
Kingfisher
Goosander
Cetti’s warbler
Curlew

Our star species this week is the Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula). This species is on the UK birds of conservation concern red list therefore is in urgent need of our help. They’re most commonly seen in England during the winter with around 21,000 birds wintering within the UK.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Goldeneye, great white egret, cetti’s warbler, goosander, curlew, wigeon, mallard, coot, moorhen, tufted duck, pintail, garganey, teal, mute swan, whooper swan, greylag goose, grey heron, great crested grebe, little grebe, cormorant, black-headed gull, common gull, lapwing
Stonechat, fieldfare, redwing, meadow pipit, skylark, bullfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, willow tit, bearded tit, wren, reed bunting, goldcrest, treecreeper, jay, robin, blackbird, siskin, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker
Red kite, marsh harrier, buzzard, kestrel

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB St Aidan’s have been:

Water pipit
Kingfisher
Bittern
Siskin
Barnacle goose
Marsh harrier
Golden plover
Tree sparrow
Grey partridge
Woodcock

Our star species this week is the grey partridge (perdix perdix) This species is unfortunately also on the UK birds of conservation concern red list despite once being very common and widespread. They’re ground birds and are found in groups of between 6-15 which are known as coveys.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Little Egret, great white egret, black-necked grebe, green sandpiper, herring gull, caspian gull, lesser black-backed gull, pink-footed goose, greylag goose, Canada goose, barnacle goose, grey heron, bittern, goldeneye, cetti’s warbler, shoveler, woodcock, curlew, goosander, oystercatcher, shelduck, pintail, wigeon, water rail, golden plover, snipe, ruff, dunlin, kingfisher
Tree sparrow, bearded tit, stonechat, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, grey partridge, yellowhammer, reed bunting, skylark, redpoll, mistle thrush, redwing, fieldfare, goldcrest, bullfinch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, treecreeper, nuthatch, siskin, song thrush, grey wagtail
Marsh harrier, peregrine falcon, hobby, kestrel, buzzard, red kite, sparrowhawk, barn owl, little owl

When you’re out and about at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan’s, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by letting us know on social media! Happy spotting!

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To keep in touch, follow us on social media here:

Garden bird photography - Big Garden Birdwatch in the Aire Valley

2023-01-28T13:16:00Z

Winter is a perfect time for bird photography with crisp mornings and golden light from the low sun. The garden birds you may be familiar with seeing at home or at one of our Aire Valley sites are perfect examples to try and capture. With them being more reliable to the feeding stations for the extra food source coupled with the bareness of trees and bushes, smaller birds seem to be everywhere! As the days are growing longer some species are also becoming a bit more vocal.

A bird's plumage can look different during all seasons. During early spring they’re bright and quite dapper in the search or territories and looking for partners, then into late spring, they start to become a bit tatty as they have families to look after. Moving into summer most birds begin to moult and the new growth of feathers occasionally through into autumn, and then back to their best in winter.

As this weekend marks Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 let’s have a quick recap on last year’s top 3 species. The number one bird for 2022 and for the 19^th year running is the humble House Sparrow. These noisy chattering birds are often found in small groups called Hosts or Tribe. In occasional winters you can find them at RSPB Fairburn Ings in the hedgerow between the car park and the Visitor Centre or along Cut Lane. House Sparrows are a UK red-listed species due to a severe decline in the breeding population. Feeding mainly on seeds, shoots, berries and insects these sparrows look different between sexes. The males have a grey crown and nape with a black bib and chestnut brown sides to their head. Whereas, females and juvenile birds are less colourful and typically have a sandy brown colour.

Retaining number two position: the sharp, bright and overall smart Blue Tit - a firm favourite to most. These plump-looking tits are easy to identify: they have blue/green backs, blue wings and zesty lemon yellow undersides. They have bright white cheeks with a dark blue eye stripe and a blue cap. Feeding on fruit, seeds and insects, blue tits can be found all across the Aire Valley, foraging for food between the reeds or darting between the branches in the woodland.

The dazzling and super handsome Starling is also a non-mover retaining third position in 2022. But like the House Sparrow Starlings are also a red-listed species in the UK due to declining breeding populations. These are also unmistakable to identify, they appear quite dull and are a similar size to a Blackbird but on closer inspection, they shimmer with iridescent purples and greens that shine especially in the sun. Over the past few winters at RSPB Fairburn Ings, we’ve been lucky to get flocks of thousands coming into roost on an evening showing off their superb murmuration skills that they’re well known for. When they aren’t flocking on an evening you’ll find starlings in smaller groups in towns, cities and around farmland feeding on insects, fruits and seeds.

Although winter is a vital time for helping birds by providing feeding stations it's also vital to keep such areas clean and tidy to maintain good hygiene. You may have already seen the feeding stations at RSPB Fairburn Ings have a routine and one station will have feeders missing. Don’t worry they’ve not gone away for good! This is to help stop any diseases from spreading and to help the ground recover from dropped seeds. Most diseases are transmitted by droppings. If contaminated droppings mix with food, the birds run a risk of picking up an infection. Since the contamination can originate either from other birds or from animals (such as rats), it's important to guard against infection from both sources in your garden.

For more information on how to keep garden birds healthy visit https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/rspb-news-stories/keep-your-garden-birds-healthy/.

Words by Joe Seymour

Images:

Goldfinch- Joe Seymour

Long-tailed Tit - Joe Seymour

Blue Tit - Joe Seymour

Starlings - Joe Seymour

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Aire Valley sightings blog - 22 January

2023-01-22T14:39:00Z

It’s been a chilly couple of weeks at Fairburn Ings and St Aidan’s this past couple of weeks, but this hasn’t stopped wildlife making an appearance. The roe deer and green woodpeckers have been posing beautifully for visitors and photographers at Fairburn Ings, and a water pipit has been hanging around at St Aidan’s. Read on to find out all about what has been seen recently at the reserves.

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB Fairburn Ings have been:

Red fox
Green woodpecker
Bullfinch
Roe deer
Curlew
Kingfisher
Eurasian jay
Red kite
Treecreeper
Lesser redpoll

Our star species this week is the treecreeper. This species can be quite difficult to see, as it is very camouflaged against tree trunks as it scuttles up them, looking for insects to munch on.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Bullfinch, goldfinch, wren, blue tit, reed bunting, goldcrest, treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, lesser redpoll, long-tailed tit, robin, great tit, dunnock, green woodpecker, chaffinch, fieldfare, wood pigeon, siskin, willow tit, great spotted woodpecker, skylark and blackbird
Cormorant, tufted duck, mute swan, curlew, kingfisher, grey heron, moorhen, coot, mallard, greylag goose, gooseander, teal, little grebe and lapwing
Kestrel, red kite and buzzard
Red fox and roe deer

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB St Aidan’s have been:

Water pipit
Kingfisher
Bittern
Siskin
Barnacle goose
Marsh harrier
Golden plover
Tree sparrow
Grey partridge
Woodcock

Our star species this week is the tree sparrow. Tree sparrows are not common around St Aidan’s, and have seen massive declines across the UK. Unlike house sparrows, they are not associated with people and are quite shy, so if you get them in your garden you’re very lucky!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Water pipit, yellowhammer, goldfinch, greenfinch, tree sparrow, siskin, fieldfare, grey partridge, stonechat, robin, reed bunting, blue tit, lesser redpoll, bearded tit, green woodpecker, chiffchaff, song thrush, goldcrest, grey wagtail, redwing and linnet
Golden plover, kingfisher, bittern, woodcock, gooseander, grey heron, shoveler, little egret, oystercatcher, water rail, great white egret and shelduck
Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier, buzzard, little owl, kestrel,
Roe deer and stoat

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The Dog Blog

2023-01-15T15:08:00Z

As January is National Walk Your Dog Month we’d like to share some information about how you can responsibly and respectfully walk your dogs on our sites.

We welcome dogs on both our Aire Valley sites and we know that lots of you enjoy walking your dogs here, but we ask that you are sensitive to our wildlife, staff, volunteers and other visitors by following our simple dog code:

· keep your dog on a short lead

· stick to paths

· dispose of your dog’s poo properly

Why should I keep my dog on a short lead?

To wildlife all dogs are predators, walking your dog on a short lead helps to minimise disturbance. During the winter when days are short and food scarce constantly moving due to disturbance means that birds (and other wildlife) can’t feed properly and it uses vital energy so may decrease their chance of survival.

It prevents dogs jumping into our lakes, ponds and other water bodies. This can disturb aquatic birds and wildlife and the insecticides that are found in dog flea treatments can pollute the water.

It helps to lessen the negative impacts of dog poo and urine as it reduces it to a smaller area.

Not everyone likes dogs and not all dogs like other dogs so keeping your dog on a short lead can help everyone have a more enjoyable experience.

Why should we stick to paths?

By everyone sticking to paths (even if not walking a dog) sensitive habitats and wildlife can be protected from disturbance. As spring approaches, we will have significant numbers of ground nesting birds returning to our sites. Birds like skylarks, lapwings, willow warblers and meadow pipits all nest on our Aire Valley sites. Dogs chasing balls or running through grass off paths can easily disturb wildlife and scare adult birds off nests and trample eggs. Vulnerable chicks can quickly die if they are left alone for too long.

Why should we properly dispose of dog poo?

Dog poo is harmful to people, wildlife and natural habitats. It adds nutrients to the soil which encourages plants to grow that out compete wildflowers and valuable plants for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and other insects.

Dog poo takes many weeks to decompose and continues to pose a significant health risk to our visitors, volunteers and staff well after the dog has gone. In the last week we have found 13 dog poos in our wildflower bed outside the Visitor Centre at Fairburn Ings along with another left under a picnic bench. Bags of poo left hanging in hedges or thrown into verges around St Aidan’s mean that our wardens and volunteers have been sprayed with faeces when they are using brush and hedge cutters and strimmers.

Poo can be transferred to wheelchairs, prams, hands & feet. Please pick up the poo – bin it or take it home.

If you have left your poo bags at home, we always have a supply available in the Visitor Centre at Fairburn Ings or the Little Owl Café at St Aidan’s – just pop in and ask.

Fairburn Ings Retail Volunteer Blog

2023-01-05T15:03:00Z

RSPB Fairburn Ings is an exciting site which attracts lots of incredible wildlife as well as plenty of visitors. From families, to dedicated wildlife watchers, we need YOU to help make their visit the best it can possibly be!

As a retail volunteer, you will assist in the running and upkeep of the shop at RSPB Fairburn Ings. We sell a wide range of products, from cards to binoculars, which you’ll have the opportunity to promote and hopefully(!) sell. Some of the most popular products on sale include our range of ‘wildlife food & care’.

Our primary mission at the RSPB is to give nature a home. We do this not only by managing our nature reserves but by also giving our visitors the opportunity to let nature thrive around their own home. All of the bird food we sell is of high quality and includes information on the particular species each food type is favoured by. We also sell a variety of specialist feeders, designed to hygienically house the food, whilst allowing bird visitors to eat comfortably and safely.

Many of the bird care products we sell are our own brand and have been designed based on our experiences to be enticing to particular bird species, functional and interesting. Various examples can be seen in action in a number of feeding locations around our site. Visitors will hopefully then feel inspired to replicate the feeding stations they’ve seen around the reserve within their own garden. We also have larger products on sale too including bird houses, bird baths, and bird tables which are all perfect additions to a wildlife friendly garden.

Many customers will have questions regarding preferred bird food, feeding techniques, and how to attract wildlife to their garden. Therefore having a basic understanding about the products on sale is beneficial.

As many of our visitors will be keen birdwatchers themselves, we also have a range of binoculars and telescopes on sale. You will be provided with plenty of support and information to help you give the right advice to any customers wanting to purchase binoculars or scopes.

We also have a wide range of books on sale including bird ID and other exciting wildlife associated books. Clothing, seasonal gifts and cards are also available from our shop.

As a retail volunteer, you will play a vital role in the day to day operation of the visitor centre.

This will include welcoming customers and processing payments through the till. You’ll also help to ensure that the shop remains presentable by assisting in frequent cleaning. You’ll naturally be provided with full training beforehand to ensure you’re confident doing so. Of course, creating the best customer experience possible is crucial therefore we’re looking for passionate volunteers that will enjoy their role and want to keep visitors happy. You’ll have plenty of engaging conversations with lots of people, from bird watchers & wildlife enthusiasts to hikers and families.

Thank you for your interest in possibly becoming an RSPB Fairburn Ings retail volunteer, I hope this blog has given you an insight into what the role involves. You will be working with some amazing people and gain useful experience working in the hospitality industry.

We hope to see you soon!

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December Sightings Blog

2022-12-19T14:57:00Z

Despite the cold and often dreary weather, it’s been an excellent couple of weeks in the Aire Valley for special sightings. Firstly, the Arctic skua at St Aidan’s has been getting lots of attention, and fieldfares and redwings have been giving amazing views at Fairburn Ings as they have been feasting on the berries.

The top ten sightings at Fairburn Ings recently have been:

Stonechat
Gooseander
Black necked grebe
Water rail
Goldcrest
Grey wagtail
Curlew
Sparrowhawk
Greenfinch
Bullfinch

Our star species this week is the bullfinch. Bullfinches are sexually dimorphic, which means that the females are different in appearance to the males. In the case of the bullfinch, the male’s breast is a bright coral-pink colour, and the female’s is a dull pink-brown.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Long-tailed tit, great spotted woodpecker, bullfinch, robin, blackbird, green woodpecker, blue tit, redwing, fieldfare, chaffinch, wren, reed bunting, goldcrest, grey wagtail, goldfinch, greenfinch, dunnock, song thrush, coal tit and stonechat
Grey heron, water rail, little egret, curlew, mute swan, gooseander, black necked grebe, lapwing, white fronted goose and kingfisher
Marsh harrier, red kite, kestrel and sparrowhawk
Roe deer

The top ten sightings recently at St Aidan’s have been:

Arctic skua
Little owl
Water pipit
Merlin
Black necked grebe
Common snipe
Yellowhammer
Siskin
Bearded tit
Shelduck

Our star species this week is the Arctic skua! This species is usually found on the coast, but it’s likely that this individual was on its way to the coast and stopped off for a rest at St Aidan’s.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Fieldfare, redwing, reed bunting, yellow hammer, linnet, goldfinch, skylark, lesser redpoll, meadow pipit, stonechat, siskin, water pipit, house sparrow, blackbird and bearded tit
Bittern, Arctic skua, lapwing, curlew, common snipe, shelduck, great white egret, moorhen, common sandpiper, pintail, pink footed goose, barnacle goose, golden plover, dunlin and black necked grebe
Little owl, marsh harrier, red kite and merlin

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Aire Valley Sightings Blog December 2022

2022-12-04T14:01:00Z

Even though most of the leaves have fallen off the tress at Fairburn Ings and St Aidan’s and the weather is cold and dreary, there’s still plenty of activity going on! With flocks of golden plover roosting at St Aidan’s, and starling murmurations at Fairburn Ings, it’s a brilliant time to visit the reserves.

The top ten sightings at RSPB Fairburn Ings recently have been:

Goldcrest
Bullfinch
Treecreeper
Bittern
Avocet
Kingfisher
Otter
Green woodpecker
Curlew
Marsh harrier

Our star species this week is the goldcrest. This bird, alongside the firecrest, is the smallest UK bird, weighing the same amount as a sheet of A4 paper!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Greenfinch, long-tailed tit, great tit, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, stonechat, wren, starling, robin, fieldfare, redwing, goldcrest, dunnock, blue tit, treecreeper, lesser redpoll, chaffinch, blackbird, bullfinch, grey wagtail, curlew, coal tit and reed bunting
Avocet, snipe, whooper swan, pink-footed goose, grey heron, kingfisher, goosander, little egret, teal, bittern, lapwing and great crested grebe
Marsh harrier, red kite, buzzard and kestrel
Otter and roe deer

The top ten sightings at RSPB St Aidan’s recently have been:

Sparrow hawk
Goldcrest
Yellowhammer
Black necked grebe
Goldeneye
Shelduck
Noctule bat
Woodcock
Golden plover
Great white egret

Our star species this week is the noctule bat! This species is our largest bat species here in the UK, and they like hunting over tree canopies on the look out for insects.

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

Goldfinch, greenfinch, redwing, reed bunting, stonechat, long-tailed tit, yellowhammer, fieldfare, blackbird, goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker, water pipit and green woodpecker
Golden plover, bittern, woodcock, pink-footed goose, whooper swan, black necked grebe, curlew, great white egret, water rail, goosander, pintail, goldeneye, shelduck and dunlin
Sparrow hawk, marsh harrier, little owl, red kite and kestrel
Noctule bat

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