Ham Wall. Sunday 12th January 2025
What a joy it was not only to drive in the sunshine but to travel on the pot hole free highway of the recently upgraded North Devon Link Road. However, our joy was short lived as when we got to the M5, the slip road to join the motorway was closed off, which entailed a circuitous detour along some of West Somerset’s pot holed roads. Despite this we arrived on time at the large car park at the RSPB’s reserve at Ham Wall only to do battle with the most complicated car park ticket machine ever invented.
After a warming drink we set off along the path of the Shapwick Heath reserve and soon came across a large pond with plenty of ducks on it including wigeon, gadwall and tufted duck, plus some coots whilst a kingfisher flashed by and a reed bunting swayed on the reed heads. In the distance a marsh harrier was spotted. On now to the Meath reserve hide where there was absolutely nothing. Those who went in the opposite direction not only had good views of a whiskered otter, who in turn had good views of the BNA members before diving back into the water. At the hide we had panoramic views of more innumerable wigeon plus cormorants and some smart looking pintail. In the far distance a great white egret and a couple of whooper swans but no geese. On the walk back to the car, there was a flock of twittering long tailed tits and fantastic close up views of a marsh harrier as it hunted over the extensive reed beds. Packed lunches were consumed in a shelter/hide waiting for something exciting to appear but all we got was magpie, blue tit, robin and blackbird.
Time now to get back on the trail but this time in the opposite direction towards Glastonbury. What we hoped was a ring necked duck turned out to be yet another tufted duck. From a good view point we had great crested grebe in the adjoining lake.
With time to spare before the anticipated arrival of the starlings we took a path only a few inches above the water level alongside, so it was a bit squelchy. There was a little egret in one of the reed beds and a marsh harrier consuming his latest catch. The full moon was now rising in the East as the sun was setting in the West. The photographers took advantage of the sun picking out Glastonbury Tor with a backdrop of dark grey horizon level clouds. We then paddled back to the view point when surprise, surprise we had excellent views of not only one but a pair of bearded tits feeding on the reed heads with their marvellous plumage highlighted in the soft glow of the setting sun.
We now waited for the starlings to arrive, as they eventually did, coming from all directions but because it had been a lovely day they had stayed out feeding longer than usual, so after a quick swirl they disappeared down to roost in the reed beds some distance away. So now it was time for us to disappear as everyone went back to the car and because it had been good turnout, it took 20 minutes to get out of the car park.
Apart from the non cooperation of the starlings it had still been a super day and in an act of poetic justice the car park ticket machine had a notice on it saying “out of order”. B.S
Indoor meeting Tuesday 11th February 2025
People kept coming in so at 7.30pm we had to close the doors as there were no seats left! Our indoor speaker finder, Julie T, had obviously found a popular topic. It was all about the UK’s first marine protection area which just happens to be near us, off the east coast of Lundy with the speaker being marine biologist Robert Irving.
The variety of marine habitats and species at Lundy is outstanding due to the wide range of environmental conditions which affect them especially in relation to wave exposure, tidal current and the underlying geology. He explained that the area had been the subject of many listings for conservation and protection such as a National Trust reserve, an SSSI, a no take zone, marine conservation zone, OSPAR marine protection area, special area of conservation and a marine nature reserve. Some of which started over 50 years ago but now it is just known as a marine protection area (MPA). Originally it was decreed that there should be just one such area in the UK and it was a race between the Isles of Scilly and Lundy. What clinched it in Lundy’s favour was some of the more unusual marine life found off Lundy, such as the number of breeding grey seals, spiny lobsters, cuckoo wrasse, trumpet anemone and the delicate sunset cup coral.
In 2003 a “No take zone” was set up in which all fishing was banned and was the first legally enforceable no fishing area in UK waters. It was a bit like a nature reserve but underwater and extended to about 4 square kilometres. The area was professionally monitored and in the first five years there was an increase in the average size and abundance of the lobsters both within and adjacent to the protected area. Furthermore there was an increase in the abundance of undersized lobsters which should help replenish the stocks in the surrounding areas.
There are 370 different types of seaweed found around Lundy plus other things such as sea slugs. Robert has been diving in these waters for a good number of years and related how brittle stars (like skinny starfish) tend to gather in groups as they like to be in physical contact with each other often forming what look like carpets on the sea floor. When the tidal flow is strong they still keep in touch with each other and the whole mat is rolled up and swept along the sea floor.
After the interval, he showed us a film about Lundy. This included interviews with people who have varying interests in the creation and effects of creating these protected areas. The general consensus was that they were acceptable if they were properly managed and supervised. We then had the raffle and thanks to those members who donated prizes, it was a quality raffle. After a question and answer session it was time to call it a day and my thanks to all those in what ever way, helped to make it a very successful and enjoyable evening.
Recent sightings:-
There has been a lesser scaup and an eider duck at Skern whist the avocet has been seen at Fremington Pill. The River Mole area has produced bumper numbers including 500 linnets, 600 chaffinches, 15 bramblings and 10 yellow hammers plus red and roe deer and on the river two pairs of goosanders and a pair of dippers. A red kite was seen over Codden Hill, Bishops Tawton. On Sherpa Marsh, two white fronted geese along with a couple of spoonbills.
Otter Estuary Nature Reserve. Sunday March 16th, 2025
The early morning sun beat down on frosted rooftops disguising a biting easterly wind as we left for the River Otter Nature Reserve on the South Devon coast. Roadside hedges occasionally burst forth with the white and yellow colours of blackthorn and gorse plus “lambs tails” which made regular appearances.
Large rookeries were in an advanced state of refurbishment high in the roadside trees. Why did they build alongside a busy road? Was it because of a potential supply of food from road kill, or were they ancient nest sites from long ago. Someone suggested that the higher they build, the better the Summer weather.
Driving down into the estuary car park the English Channel glistened in the bright morning sun. However, nearer the shore the water took on a reddish brown hue. It was thought this may have been the result of a recent large cliff fall of red earth into the sea.
The lower Otter restoration project involved breaching the embankment to create a rare flood plain consisting of salt marsh and mudflats. This resulted in a 55 hectare SSSI. A huge amount of work has been completed with the creation of a new bisecting road, the raising of footpaths, planting of hundreds of trees, the building of several hides and the construction of a new bridge allowing for a circular walk. Even the cricket pitch had to be relocated to a higher position adjacent to the reserve. The mud banks are rich in invertebrates providing food for a wide range of wading birds.
After donning suitable windproof clothing it was not long after setting off that we spotted our first water rail (five in total) of the day where the reeds joined the mud. The reserve was ideal for nature watching with its broad hard earth surface paths close to the wildlife areas. There were frequent gaps in the hedges enabling clear viewing and several well built hides. On one side of the path was a newly planted pussy willow hedge whilst the more mature trees were covered in a mass of lichens.
Redshanks bobbed along the mud surfaces and then a good sighting of a spotted redshank with its slightly longer bill and legs and a prominent white eye-line. Signs of the imminent arrival of Spring showed around us as we passed fast growing swathes of alexanders and a lovely clump of purple violets. A dunnock scurried along the path in front of us before flipping up into a tree and serenading us with its lovely continuous tweet. Maybe the wildlife here are becoming used to to the presence of humans as the reserve is also very popular with walkers.
Strolling through this reserve with its large area of mud flats and creeks bordered by older trees it was nice to see several curlews as their numbers have been dwindling over recent years. It was even more of a joy to see its near lookalike, the whimbrel, with its shorter and less curved bill. Looking through the reed beds, behind a clutch of wigeon, a pair of mute swans silently glided down a creek with the out going tide. A good days nature watching with some 40 birds recorded in this specific habitat. JS
(Species lists available as always from branch Chairman Brian Sims upon request)