As we near the end of 2017 it's always interesting to look back at what has happened or been seen over the last year. This is a quick look back at some of the blogs and some new images from 2017.
Looking over the dam towards Sculpture Park
We had a week of looking at the Love of Nature and thinking about all the wonderful wildlife, the fantastic scenery and habitats that can be seen across the UK and specifically at Lake Vyrnwy in our For the Love of... Lake Vyrnwy blog. Wintry scenes are some of the most spectacular with the last couple of weeks highlighting the fact.
Tawny Owl by Gavin Chambers
Those who have followed my blogs in the past will be aware that I like to keep summer and winter bird lists. Reaching the half way point in my 2017/18 winter list I have struggled to a tally of 65 which includes merlin, short-eared owl and willow tit. There is still a long way to go to get near my list from last winter of 90 species (They're Arriving & Winter Listing) and will depend a lot on how much I get out of the office! Summer listing was also hard work with a final total of 102 species compared to my best tally of 107 in previous years.
Parhelophilus frutetorum/versicolor by Gavin Chambers
There have been a number of new species recorded on the reserve in 2017 with a crag martin perhaps being the highlight. However, two new species of fern (soft shield fern and royal fern) to increase our already large variety, the most for any RSPB reserve, was certainly up there (Lake Fernwy Strikes Again!). The number of hoverflies recorded on the reserve continued to increase this year with melangyna arctica, parhelophilus frutetorum/versicolor and brachypalpus laphriformis added to the reserve list which now sits at around 73. Moths were well recorded this year with a total of 319 species trapped or seen through the year, this included 68 micros and the occasional Dodgy Characters.
Soft shield fern (left) and Royal fern (right) by Gavin Chambers
The second half of the year saw some new bloggers from within the team giving their own take on work and life at Lake Vyrnwy. This included introducing some of our amazing volunteers (Nest Boxes Galore), what makes Lake Vyrnwy so special (Iconic Lake Vyrnwy) and what habitat management takes place through the winter months (Winter Works at Vyrnwy). A new event for the reserve was trialled, Shinrin-Yoku, a chance to fully immerse yourself in a natural environment and forget the stresses of everyday life. With the success of the first event, a second has been planned for the 20th January 2018 with full details here (booking essential!).
Nadolig Llawen! Merry Christmas!
Gavin Chambers, Assistant Warden
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