Hi,
A baby bird bonanza hit the reserve with fledged chicks visible and very audible throughout. Most numerous were the tit species with families of Blue, Great and Coal Tit in the deciduous woodland. Interestingly the number of Blue and Great Tit nests in the reserve boxes has more than doubled from last year with the birds most likely benefiting from the mild and relatively dry winter. A family of Marsh Tit spotted in the hotel wood proved successful breeding in the area (8th). The majority of Nuthatch nests had fledged by the 1st June with showy family flocks on the Yellow and Blue trails. Pied Flycatcher and Redstart chicks made their maiden flights from the 8th June onwards. Branched Tawny Owl chicks were observed from the Yellow Trail with this scene no doubt being played out on most of the reserve’s trails. Tawny Owls are another species which looked to have benefited from the mild winter with eight breeding attempts in the reserve boxes from which at least twelve chicks have been logged. A complete contrast to last year when no Tawny Owl nesting attempts were recorded.
The majority of Pied Flycatcher chicks are due to fledge by the end of next week (Many Thanks to Gavin Chambers for the photograph).
The Sculpture Park has been a wildlife hub and given its close proximity to the Visitor Centre deserves a special mention. The Great Spotted Woodpecker chicks fledged on the 5th leaving their honeybee neighbours behind for a summer of peace and quiet. A pair of Redstarts were busy searching for caterpillars (8th) and a pair of Common Crossbill could be heard calling on a daily basis. Of botanical interest the blooms of Pignut, Ribwort Plantain and Meadow Buttercup added a splash of colour amongst the greenery.
The Sculpture Park is playing host to a great variety of wildlife at present.
The flowers of Fox-and-cubs proved popular with the reserve’s bumblebees.
On the lake Canada Geese have started to flock with ten, presumably failed breeders, opposite the Lakeside Hide (6th). The Great Crested Grebe pair continued incubation at the top end of the lake whilst Common Sandpipers could be observed from the Lakeside Hide and dam.
Other avian sightings included, Cuckoo singing along the Red and Purple trails. It’s worth noting that from mid June onwards adult birds will start the return journey to their wintering grounds, so anyone who wants to hear this magnificent brood parasite needs to act soon. Red Kites soared above most of the reserve with the Dinas Mawddwy Road proving to be the most reliable place for a sighting, with stunning breeding plumaged Whinchat and Stonechat also present here. Several Crossbills were observed from the Blue Trail (13th). Finally a second Quail was heard singing on 5th June.
With regards to invertebrates a large swarm of honeybees was an impressive sight around the Visitor Centre on 31st May with the swarm eventually making their way towards the Sculpture Park during the day. Green-Veined Whites continued to dominate butterfly transects with Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Heath adding some diversity. There was also a notable increase in Large Red and Common Blue damselfly numbers over this period.
Eyebright is currently in bloom on the Green Trail, this species is a partial parasite stealing nutrients from the roots of perennial plants.
Macrolepidoptera Of The Week
We’ve had some excellent trapping sessions over the past fortnight and I’ve got a couple of intriguing specimens for you to enjoy including a giant and one for the locals.
With a huge forewing length of 46mm Poplar Hawkmoth is one of the largest moths you’ll see in the UK.
An inhabitant of hillsides and moorland the caterpillars of the Welsh Wave feed on rowan leaves. Welsh Wave’s also occur in Scotland, northern and southwest England.
Cheers,
Adam