Although winter might seem like quieter time for wildlife, there are still plenty of things to see and find on the reserve and every day can reveal something new or different.
Over winter we have a dedicated volunteer monitoring our wild bird seed plots for us. We have four of these plots across the reserve. We sow areas of high seed yielding plants in the spring, and come the end of the summer the plots are packed with all sorts of shapes and sizes of energy rich seed, suitable for lots of different types of beaks! Over winter the plots act like giant food tables, providing a source of food, shelter and cover for birds such and finches and buntings. Our volunteer has recorded 34 species of birds using the plots, including flocks of 50+ yellowhammer, 50+ linnet, 30+ skylark and other species such as reed bunting, song thrush and bullfinch. The plots are a lifeline to non-bird species too. Brown hare can often be found lying low in the plots, as well as roe deer and the occasional badger.
One creature we have recently discovered benefits from our wild bird seed plots is the tiny Harvest Mouse. Recent research suggests that they are associated with plots, especially when they contain millet. We have been coming across quite a few old harvest mouse nests this winter, in the longer grass on field edges. The nests are very distinctive, as harvest mice are the only mouse to weave a nest from blades of grass. The finished product is a cosy little ball about the size of a cricket ball, with a small entrance hole. These mice also weave smaller nests to use to sleep and store food over the winter. We have been finding nest right across the reserve, which is really exciting for us. It’s nice to think that the wild bird seed plots are helping to keep these little guys going over winter too.
One of the harvest mice nest found next to the wild bird seed plots - possibly one of the smaller wintering nests
Keeley