It's a scorcher of a day at Vane Farm. The heat certainly seems to have brought in the visitors - both feathered and otherwise.
Out and about on the reserve today we have an impressive sight, as a flock of over 500 curlew feeding on the mud in front of the 2nd hide. Ringed plover and dunlin have returned yet again to their regular feeding spot on the main flood, scurrying here and there on the spit of land dividing the pools. Other sightings include a sparrowhawk chasing a pied wagtail beneath a hide, a wheatear posing on piles of mud and the regular kestrel being mobbed by crows. High numbers of pochard remain in the bay, with Caroline (our new visitor and publicity officer) spotting a solitary goldeneye out on the loch.
Flocks of pink-footed geese continue to return for the winter, with large flocks making their way around the NNR. Around 650 were feeding on the Vane shoreline yesterday, with more settling in today, on the grass behind the worksite. The numbers of pinkies using the reserve is currently unknown, but the NNR's first coordinated count of the geese will be early Monday morning and we'll have a better idea of the current wintering numbers. The count is part of the Icelandic-breeding Goose Census (IGC), an international count which aims to 'estimate population size and identify important wintering sites'. The geese roost overnight on the loch for safety and leave at dawn, several counters from the RSPB and SNH are positioned around the loch before day breaks, ready to count the flocks either on the water or as they leave for their daily feeding grounds. At least 3 counts will be carried out, 1 each in October, November and December. We'll keep you updated on the results so you can pick the best come along and enjoy the sights and sounds of the geese for yourself.
Don't forget there's a couple of guided events next week where you can join RSPB staff on some early morning goose watches. Wednesday 5th is our Guided pink-footed goose photography shoot and Thursday the 6th is our Dawn goosewatch, both events aim to get people more involved with the birds, explaining more about their behaviour and hopefully getting some great, unforgettable views. Check out the events on our website or call the visitor centre for more information. There are a currently a few places left on each event.
Meanwhile, amidst the mud and water, diggers remain very active. The majority of the work should be over by the middle of next week, helping to reduce the disturbance levels for the birds, although they seem very content with the amount of food being produced by the earth moving. The site's looking really great now, the terraces are almost complete and some of the grass re-seeding was carried out mid-week. The heat has already helped to spur on plant growth, with a light green covering emerging over much of the site. The 3rd remains closed, with early November the most ike date for access. We're awaiting construction and delivery of a wooden bridge which will provide a great new feature for visitors as they enter the Carden hide.
The hazards of re-seeding grass in a wetland - the quad is kindly retrieved from the mud by Mike as Graham finds another soft spot