Earlier this week the water levels were dropped to create muddy fringes around the side of our pools which create the perfect feeding areas for many birds, especially waders. Today, only a few days after the water drop, our work has been rewarded as a stunning black tailed godwit was feasting on the array of invertabrates in the muddy ground. Though there are high number of waders they are most definetly out numbered by the huge groups of ducks on the pools and the loch. The majority of the ducks are100's of tufted ducks though there are also some pintail, pochard, wigeon, gadwall and many great crested grebes. This afternoon a large raptor flew over the reserve and made all of the ducks take to the wing, the culprit was an osprey. Our feeding station was relitively quiet though a brilliant male siskin made regular apperances along with a variety of tits and finches.
Today was the first day in weeks that allowed me (weather wise) to go on my favourite walk at Vane, the woodland trail. When hiking up the path the vegation at either side of me was littered with ringlet butterflies, though they look dull and brown from a distance they have delicate cream rings on the tips of their wings. At the top the regular meadow pipits were singing though they had to compete with the grasshoper chorus.
Lets hope that our perfect muddy fringes continue to attract hungry waders from near and far. Check the blog next week to see what what turns up!
osprey