Breeding season is almost over at RSPB Lochwinnoch and the evidence of success for many species can be seen all around the reserve. The scrape has been particularly eventful this last month with a diverse range of wildlife sightings, and 6 Lapwing chicks remaining from at least 4 breeding pairs. Lapwing chicks can be difficult to see at first due to their brown and cream colour that allows them to hide from predators. They will start to forage for themselves quickly after hatching although they still rely on adults to brood them as they are unable to regulate their own body temperature. Their parents will watch over them as they forage and will alarm call at the sign of any danger to warn the chicks that they need to hide. The pair of Redshank which we hoped would breed produced 3 chicks, the first time this species has bred successfully at the reserve.
Lapwing chick on the scrape. Photo by John Stevenson.
A pair of Ringed Plovers have been exhibiting breeding behaviour on the scrape throughout June. Ringed Plovers mostly breed on beaches around the coast but more recently they have begun to breed inland in sand and gravel pits as well as in former industrial sites. 2 Little Ringed Plovers have also been present, but neither species has yet produced young this year.
Wader passage continued with a Wood Sandpiper on the 3rd June, a scarce passage migrant in this part of Scotland.
It is not only birdlife that has provided excitement as a Roe Deer was seen with a fawn on the edge of the scrape on the 26th of June. Roe Deer mate during the summer with bucks fighting for access to females during July and August, but the female won't give birth until spring/summer the following year to avoid her young having to face the harsh winter months.
Roe Deer with fawn on the scrape.
The Mute Swan nest next to the boardwalk delighted everyone in June as 6 Cygnets appeared in the nest. Mute Swan pairs will generally remain in the same area for life and if both swans remain healthy, they will usually stay together for life. Females have however been known to change partners if a stronger male takes over. Mute Swans have a long incubation period of around 35-42 days and the female will turn the eggs with her bill over this period.
Mute Swan with cygnet.
The cuteness does not stop there as plenty of chicks from various bird species have been seen over the reserve this month. Tufted Duck ducklings were seen on the Aird Meadow loch, and Shoveler Ducks have also been spotted with ducklings. Shovelers are surface feeding ducks with huge spatula-shaped bills. In the UK they breed mostly in southern and eastern England, but they also breed in much smaller numbers in Scotland and western England. The UK is home to more than 20% of the north-west European population, making it an Amber list species.
Shoveler Duck with ducklings. Photo by John Stevenson.
There have been large numbers of Great Crested Grebes sighted on the Barr Loch and delightfully a pair has been spotted with chicks. Great Crested Grebe chicks are fluffy and grey with black stripes and when the chicks are small, they will ride on the adults’ backs for safety. Parent birds will also pluck their own feathers to feed to the chicks, which may appear odd, but this actually aids with their digestion.
Great Crested Grebe feeding youngster. Photo by Martin Hancock.
Awkward fledglings from various species have been seen along the trails including Long-tailed Tits. Long-tailed Tits are delightful and sociable little birds. During the breeding season they will build a nest from moss, lichen, feathers and spider silk shaped like a little sleeping bags full of feathers. They will remain sociable throughout the breeding season, unlike many other birds. Pairs have been known to help close relatives raise their young in what is known as cooperative breeding.
A juvenile Spotted Flycatcher was also spotted near the Peel Tower on the 22nd of June, likely from one of the 2 breeding pairs along the Aird Meadow Trail.
Long-tailed Tit fledglings. Photo by John Stevenson
Other sightings in June include over 50 pairs of Black-headed Gulls with many chicks on the rafts and biohavens. There have been various sightings of a family group of Otters on the Aird Meadow Loch this month.
Written by Rachel Reid