Firstly sorry for the lateness of this...technical (I wanted to throw the computer at the wall, I’m sure you’ve had those occasions too!) problems prevented me from getting this out sooner. Better late than never I hope though.
Brrr it was a cold one this morning but the sun was shining and it was a perfect winters day, I hope you are well and that January treated you well.
Reserve update:
I treated myself to a short walk around the reserve this morning and I think that it is looking particularly good and is in great shape for the coming spring. A song thrush was smashing snails in the wildlife garden and a small flight of wigeon were looking for some unfrozen water. A siskin was searching the top of the alders by the reedbed but I could not really see him as the low winter sun and my breath kept getting in the way! A probable white wagtail was the only bird in the frozen marsh but I daresay that the teal have not gone far and are probably on the river.
I hope that you all remembered your Big Garden Bird Watch last weekend. In my garden, as in many others I’m sure, the birds were treated to a feast of different foods as I tried to maximise the list! At the reserve Hannah and Nicky hosted a Big Reserve Bird Watch, lots of visitors joined them on the day and had a really enjoyable time seeing the 13 species that came to the feeders. In the week there was a Big Marsh Snipe Watch also and had an excellent haul of 30 snipe including 4 Jacks, the first of this winter.
The wild gardeners have been giving the garden a late winter once over and it is looking well loved. In the spring I am sure that it will look great and will inspire would be nature lovers as they get back out into their own gardens.
This week the Environment Agency with the Borough Council have begun creating a surfaced path along the river bank to the south of the lake. This will continue across the reserve and join with our existing paths finally completing the surfaced circular route. This is an excellent development but will mean that the path will be closed for a few weeks.
Centre plans:
Many thanks to all of you that have taken the time to look at the concept plans for the new centre and surroundings. I know that many of you have had plenty of thoughts about how you feel the plans might be improved and I would make the points that firstly these are just concept plans and are certainly going to change and secondly you will get your chance to input your ideas in due course as we start consultations with all the user groups this summer so hold those thoughts!
Biodiversity introduction evening:
Mike West has been working on plans for a whole array of wildlife surveys including birds, plants, butterflies and dragonflies, water and other invertebrates, bats, moths and other mammals. If you think that this is an area of volunteering that might be of interest to you then we would certainly welcome the help. With this in mind, Mike and I will be hosting an introduction night showing what surveys will be happening and what would be expected of any biodiversity volunteers. The session will be at 7pm on the 27th Feb and will include drinks and nibbles. Please let either myself or Mike know if you would like to attend so we have an idea of numbers. If you can’t make it but would still like to be kept informed of the opportunities please also get in touch.
Coming up:
Sunday (5th) there is a work party led by Mike Ixer and there is plenty to do and keep you warm! Come for 10am if you are up for that one.
We are hosting two weekends of nest box building over half-term - so if you know anyone who would appreciate a very smart new next box then do please come along and make one.
Work parties will continue as normal on Fridays starting at 9.30 rather than 10 as volunteers are always so keen to get going!
Finally, a plea from Ann is that when signing in please do write your name in block capitals as she is struggling to read the register when completing the records.
And with that I wish you all well with sincere thanks as always,
See you around!
Nick Martin
Senior Site Manager, RSPB Sandwell Valley and Middleton Lakes
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards