The muddy fringes of our wetland pools have really attracted the waders today, with high numbers curlews, lapwings, oystercatchers and some snipe. On the flood we have our usual array of ducks, mainly tufted ducks along with a variety of other dabling ducks. There are also some great crested grebes and little grebes. This morning a buzzard caught a small mammal and spent some time eating it, before catching another piece of prey and going through the same proccess all over again.
Loch Leven is full of gadwall, tufted duck and wigeon all eating in vane bay, right now. Behind St Serfs island there are huge numbers of moulting mute swans, at this time the swans loose all their flight feathers.
On my usual walks around the reserve the sheer number of wild flowers that bloom here, at this time of the year, really surprised me today. From the cornflowers and poppies that flower in the bumblebee meadow to the huge budleia bush that attracts lots of bright butterfies. The next time you visit the reserve pay particular attention to these flowers and you may be surprised with what you find!
When I write my next blog the wetland restoration work will have began, but don't worry there will still be plenty of wonderful wildlife here at Vane Farm!