Sometimes I get the feeling that the bean counters have taken over and all the emphasis is on the numbers rather than the quality of life. Well nature doesn’t work quite like that, but there are times when we need to keep track of the numbers as well.
One of the willow tits within the colour ringed project (by Gavin Chambers)
Male black grouse (Archive Photo)
We are now in that part of the annual life cycle when we carry out population surveys on the reserve, so it is a really busy time for the wardens and conservation volunteers. Mike has started his special Willow Tit surveys and we also have surveys completed or in progress or planned for Hen Harrier, Merlin, Black and Red Grouse, Curlew, Ring Ouzel and Peregrine Falcons. The annual Black Grouse survey is about to start across Mid and North Wales. Lake Vyrnwy is possibly the southern edge of Black Grouse territory at the moment. The grouse are already lekking very early in the morning, so it is a 3:00 am start for the surveys.
Debbie and Sue, our new interns at Lake Vyrnwy made an enthusiastic start to their year in the conservation team have been involved with the surveys, with more to do on the Black Grouse survey this week. They have also spent some time on training – a two-day 4 wheel drive course in Shrewsbury and a Mountain Navigation course.
New arrivals at Lake Vyrnwy
The RSPB organic farm is run in tune with nature, so the ewes are all down from the moors to leave the nesting birds in peace and lambing is in full swing. Numbers are of course important because the farm is run as a business. We have been lucky to have extra help from volunteers in the lambing sheds: Lydia and Angharat from Llysfasi College (now part of Coleg Cambria) never expected their work experience project to involve TV work, but both have featured in Welsh Language TV programmes filmed at Lake Vyrnwy. Isobel and Matthew from Bristol Universty may not have made it onto the TV, yet, but they have done their share of delivering lambs both day and night as part of their work experience, as have Derek and Roz regular volunteers on the farm. I think we are almost half way through lambing with 1200 ewes having given birth so far. Some of these births have happened during our lambing events which Jan has been running through March and April – if you want to experience live lambing then there are just a few places left for the final event this year on 28th April, but you need to book and soon.
Easter proved to be a very busy time for Liz, Jayne, Judith and Jan in the RSPB Shop and Visitor centre. Lots of visitors and a record week for people joining the RSPB as members. A family membership costs as little as £5 per month. If you are interested in joining the RSPB do please call in at the shop and you can get all the details and hear about the benefits of being a member.
Personally, I have been indirectly involved with the Black Grouse survey because I had a couple of day trips up to Llandegla Forest to do some repairs to the RSPB hide up there. This hide is especially good for watching and listening to Black Grouse lekking – the moor in front of the hide is possibly the best spot in Wales for black grouse and the local RSPB volunteers set up a microphone linked to a sound system in the hide, so you can see and hear the lekking.
That links to another little project I have helped with. I put a nest box on the front of the shop at Vyrnwy, primarily to display the type of nest boxes we sell in the shop – an enterprising pair of blue tits took up residence and raised a couple of broods. Now I have put up a nest box at the side of the shop which has a camera in it, linked by a wireless link to the TV display in the shop. No occupants yet, but we are hopeful, and birds have a habit of taking advantage of whatever is available.
Robin (by Gavin Chambers) and Robin’s nest in container (by Kerrie Suteu)
On the same theme, last year I put up a special open fronted nest box for Robins in my garden, but none took up residence. I know that Robins are notorious for strange nesting sites, but this year I was surprised to find one in my workshop at home right next to an electric mitre saw. I had wondered why there were bits of moss on my workbench and then I saw that the Robin had occupied one of my small storage bins fixed to the wall above the workbench. Then over a couple of days, despite me being in and out of the workshop and using the mitre saw, 4 eggs got laid. Unfortunately, my Grandson decided to remove the container to look at the nest and get his Mum to photograph it, but I quickly put it back and the Robin has returned to the nest. So now I am allowed in the workshop, but my grandson says I must be quiet and not use any power tools nor move the container again!
So, a range of numbers at Lake Vyrnwy – 8 bird surveys and we hope for more Willow Tits, Black Grouse and others than last year, 12 hundred ewes giving birth on the farm, a 4 wheel drive course, 0 occupants of the nest box with a camera to date, and 4 eggs in a Robin’s nest in my workshop at home – but its more than just numbers isn’t it.
John, Tasgmon/Handyman Lake Vyrnwy
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