We are now departing summer and making our way into the autumn months. There have been some really exciting wildlife highlights at the reserve this month. A juvenile white-tailed eagle was spotted being mobbed by 4 buzzards on the 20th of September. The white-tailed eagle is the UK's largest bird of prey with brown body plumage and a pale head and neck. This bird went extinct in the UK during the 20th century due to persecution, but the population is making a comeback after a successful reintroduction programme. Another highlight at the reserve this month was a Merveille de Jour moth on the 21st of September which was caught and released as part of the reserves moth monitoring, its name appropriately translates to "Wonder of the day". This stunning moth species frequents woodlands and parks and is widespread throughout the UK although is thinly scattered so finding one is very exciting. The last record of one here was 15 years ago!
Merveille de Jour moth caught and released at the reserve
Hen harrier and Marsh harrier have both been spotted flying over the reserve this month causing excitement amongst everyone. The hen harrier is one of the most endangered birds of prey in the UK. Male hen harriers have been known to mate with more than one female and will bring food to their nests throughout the breeding season. The Marsh harrier is the largest of the harriers, and can be distinguished by its long tail and light flight wings in a shallow V. The females tend to be even larger than the males. The future of the Marsh harrier in the UK is more promising than it has been in the last century after they suffered rapid declines, they are still an amber list species as they continue to recover from these past declines. Therefore, It is always both hopeful and fantastic to see these birds frequent the reserve.
Marsh harrier flying over the reserve, Photographed by Len McDonald
Other sightings at the reserve this month include lots of activity at the feeding station on the Aird Meadow trail with blue tits, great tits, chaffinches, goldfinches, collared dove and nuthatches all spotted. There have also been plenty of juvenile goldfinches spotted distinguished by the lack of red on their head. There have also been long tailed tits sighted along the Aird Meadow trail.
Blue tit at the feeding station
There has been over 70 Lapwing counted enjoying the scrape. Over 30 teal were counted on the Aird meadow. Teal are the smallest UK duck species, and the males are easily spotted by their bright green eye patch. They become more commonly sighted in the UK during the winter months therefore seeing them at the reserve in larger numbers means summer is officially over. Shoveler ducks have also been spotted in the Loch channels this month. In non-bird sightings a weasel was seen at the front of the visitor centre which a nice surprise. Weasels are the UK's smallest carnivores, and their diet mainly consists of voles, mice and small birds. They belong to the mustelid group which means they have a distinctive long body and are related to both otters and stoats.
Weasel in front of the visitor centre
Written by Rachel Reid - volunteer