In spite of the awful weather, our breeding birds appear to have done quite well and there are now numerous broods of Mallards and Moorhens on the marsh. The reedbed-nesting Grey Herons also seem to have done okay but as always it is difficult to see the young birds in the nests at this time of year (most have already fledged) with the tall reed growth.
An Otter has been paying regular visits to Longrock Pool at the western end of the reserve, much to the delight of visitors. We know we have a number of Otters around the reserve but Longrock Pool is really the only area big and open enough to actually see one, the meandering and overgrown channel network in the reedbeds making similar observations there difficult to say the least.
With all the rain, our water levels have remained high in contrast to this time last year and this should help our dragonfly and amphibian populations. We already have Broad-bodied Chaser and Common Darter dragonflies on the wing and a number of frogs and toads emerging. If you are visiting soon keep a lookout for migrant Hummingbird Hawkmoths, a number of which have been reported recently in the neighbourhood, if not yet on the reserve.
Good birding/dragonfly/moth/amphibian & Otter watching!
Dave Flumm
Site Manager
Site Manager, Cornwall reserves