Following on from my post the other week about what other birds tackle the reedmace heads we have our first non-avian addition to the list! Up until recently we have only really ever seen Harvest Mice on the reserve after one of our big high tides but during the last cold snap they have been seen by several visitors clambering around in the reeds. On sunday at least two were seen, photographed and videod clambering around acrobatically on reedmace geads and interestingly using a very simialr technique to the Bearded Tits (who were also showing well). They will pull fluff feverishly from the head and let it fall to the ground which at the moment is of course frozen solid. They then scurry down the stem to feed on the ice on the seed already ejected. I presume that this is as a result of feeling safer on the ground rather than swaying around on the top of a big fluffy head with your head down and tail up!
All the following images were taken by Calum Dickson (and do check out his website!)
All still images by Calum Dickson
Footage by Bill Potter
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer