Here is volunteer Jackie Robinson’s round-up of news from around our reserves.
It is looking better for butterflies at the moment, although a colder, windy day seems to slot itself between two nice ones.
Swaddywell
The downside to this nice warmer, dry weather is the Swaddywell water levels. I was so happy to see the natural spring bubbling away in the transient pond a few weeks ago (we even saw a smooth newt in it), and now all there is, is a dry, mossy, greeny/brown springy patch of ground. It does not even look as if there is any water there at all under the surface.
The Cabin Pond is holding water, but the level is dropping; there were a couple of bubbles coming from the bottom of the pond so hopefully a bit more water will come through, unless it is like a plug hole that is emptying!! Still, we are being optimistic (well I am) that it will hold, and we are thinking through other options for once the year’s observation time is up.
On the butterfly transect on April 23, although it was a bit windy, thirty-two butterflies were recorded, twelve being Orange-tips; that is the most I remember recording at Swaddywell since I have been involved. There were also Whites, Speckled Woods and two Blues, with a Brimstone also spotted, but they must be on the transect route to be recorded.
Please do report any of the Skippers or other interesting butterflies and wildlife you may see on your way around the reserve, so that we know they are there.
We were also thrilled to see three Swallows collecting mud from the ‘Orange-stained Path’. I wonder if we will see a new breed – The Orange-breasted Swallow!
Thirty-one bird species showed up on Merlin at the same time as the butterfly transect, including Lesser and Greater Whitethroat, Linnets, Black Cap, Reed and Garden Warblers and we heard two Cuckoo in the distance. The Nightingale has been reported but we didn’t hear it on our walk round. I also accidently flushed a Snipe last week, he/she flew off in a very cross manner! A female Mallard glided through the weed at the edge of one of the ponds, very quietly into the reeds, we wondered if she had a nest.
The Twayblade Orchids are in flower and there are still plenty of Bee Orchid Rosettes visible, along the path by the Silver Birches there are the spotted leaves of the Common Spotted Orchid growing in the middle of the path, so watch where you are stepping. I do post on the Lngdyke Facebook page, so you may be able to see what I see on there.
I am still looking out for the Adders’ tongue ferns. They are tiny but very beautifully formed. They should be around soon; I’ll make sure I get some photos.
The toilet at Swaddywell Pit Reserve became the third casualty to the high winds. That now makes all three toilet constructions to have been blown over in the recent high winds. It makes you wonder if there is a design fault. We thought the Swaddywell toilet was very well protected next to the container, but no, it seems to be the hardest one to get upright.
Bainton Heath Nature Reserve
There was a guided walk around the Bainton Heath Reserve recently, and it was very enjoyable event. Stuart Irons, the warden pointed out the interesting plant species and the huge amount of grazing of the Hawthorns and other small trees by the deer. Where once you could not see through a dense thicket of trees, there is now a whole area grazed to deer-head height where you can see daylight right through. We saw one or two deer in the usual place but were shocked on our way out of the reserve to see a herd of about one hundred Roe deer looking back at us from the other side of the field. They gradually split into two groups and sauntered either back into the reserve or off into another field. They were unfazed by us!
National Grid had been into the reserve and arranged pollarding of some of the Poplars, to around 30 feet in height and there looked to be evidence of some recent tree damage by the wind. The entire site is monitored regularly for any signs of potential falling limbs or trees. The water levels in the ponds at Bainton seem to be constant.
Do try to join any guided walks advertised as this reserve is not one that has public access.
Christ’s College Pit Nature Reserve
Our newest reserve continues to be the gift that keeps on giving (in a manner of speaking), Steve Zealand the warden, had reported a pair of Red-Crested Pochard that were swimming about quite happily with the Tufted Ducks. They seemed to be very content, with the male diving for weed and feeding the female and they did have a brief look in the reeds, but it seems they may have moved on to a nearby pit. Steve also reported seeing his first Damselfly on April 24, a Small Copper was recorded on the Butterfly transect, a Mute Swan is nesting, and a Coot family has been seen. On April 25 I saw twoSmall Copper and lots of newly emerged damselflies all over the reserve. Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler have also been heard.
As for the wildflowers, the Coltsfoot are now showing drooping dandelion-style seedheads and Red Campion is flowering.
The last work party at Christ’s College included removing and bagging up tree guards – it is amazing to see the abandoned ants’ nests almost reaching the top of these guards.
The benches along the Maxey Cut are producing a lot of interest in the Christ’s College Reserve and there are now information signage boards along the Cut. Make sure you keep an eye out for Turtle Doves in that area as they have now been reported.
A sole Goosander duckling had been spotted with a female on the Maxey Cut. This is sad as there were nine ducklings in one brood last year and eleven I n another brood! I hope there are more about between here and Deeping Lakes.
Etton Maxey Reserve
Do look out for news about the Etton/Maxey Reserve, as Anglian Water start their work on the site, new birds are being spotted all the time. Please do be aware that birds can easily be disturbed and frightened off at this crucial time of year and if you do visit any of the reserves please be calm, quiet, and careful where you walk. Keep to the paths to avoid disturbing ground nesting birds.
My Helpston Garden
It is a remarkably busy place at the moment, with two sets of Blackbird parents trying to gather food for young and chasing each other off. I can hear the nest in the ivy and that male is very tame – sitting on the garden table to tell me there is no suet out, he even attracted my attention when I was looking in the pond and followed me down the garden path until I threw some out for him. The Robins are also feeding young, and I did spot one juvenile briefly. The most common bird in the garden some days is the Rook. There were five the other day, all hanging around the fat balls and attacking the feeders so aggressively that they lasted about 5 minutes.
If you add up the Jackdaws, Rooks, Magpies, and various pigeon species visiting, the food is not lasting long. I am going to use up this lot of seed and then feed sparingly, making sure that all feeders are cleaned regularly. I’m not going to do a blanket stop. There are still one or two Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings looking for spilt seed and the Gold and Greenfinches are still about, but they are looking for ‘meaty’ treats for their young which is good. There is also a Great Tit pair in the nest box and the grubs collected there are of a pinky colour, I’m not sure what they are from.
I saw three hedgehogs a few nights ago, with two doing the circle dance and one looking on a bit sheepishly. Not sure if there will be any young, I have never seen any previously.
A couple of newts are still in the pond, together with two or three quite young frogs (smallish) and I saw a Dragonfly nymph resting near the surface, but it has disappeared back into the blanket weed. I’ve seen so many Holly Blues on sunny days, nearly always followed by Orange-tips. A couple of Whites and Brimstones have flown through recently, so fingers crossed for more sunny days and more butterfly action.
Enjoy the pleasant weather everyone, and look out for all the new plants that are coming into flower on our reserves.