Despite a quiet night for bats last night, a male Natterer’s bat, ringed at a limekiln on the reserve September 2013, was caught again last night at the same site. This is our first bat to be ‘re-trapped’ as part of this licensed, volunteer project looking at how bats use our archaeological structures. Noctule, brown long-eared bat, common and soprano pipistrelle bats were also in the area last night.
Last night's Natterer's bat with 'ring'
Geese continue to migrate over the reserve, but in much smaller numbers than last week. Most of these are pink-footed geese. Lapwings and swallows are also regularly seen moving overhead. A red kite was seen yesterday and today a young male merlin was seen hunting the large house sparrow and starling flock around Tindale. A pure white starling was in the flock. Chiffchaffs are still in some of the wooded areas of the reserve and occasionally singing. No winter thrushes have appeared yet (any day now), but two ring ouzels were seen today and there are still good numbers of mistle thrushes around. Black grouse are becoming more visible and have been seen flying high over the visitor centre. Another species that is easier to seen at the moment is Jay, as they collect and store acorns and other seeds; two near the visitor centre at Stagsike over the last week are the first to be seen in this new woodland.
Some insects are taking advantage of the warm weather this week, red admiral and small tortoiseshell butterflies can be seen around the trails from the car park. Common darter dragonflies are hunting in front of the viewing screen at Tindale Tarn. Wildfowl numbers are still low on the Tarn, but include pochard, tufted duck, wigeon, teal and goosander.