I just wanted to say a big thank you to those who are activily using my sightings form for the Llandegfedd Feeding Station. It has been really useful so far and is filling the gaps that I can't attend which makes for consistent Data. Thank you Paul, Ian, Brian and Phil, and also some that have told me over social media. You won't be able to read it fully but here is a screenshot of the data that you are contributing to.
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year.
1 Bird that I'm seeing a lot of lately is the Chaffinch: An underrated bird that has unfortunately fallen victim to a disease in the Uk called Fringilla Papillomavirus. This disease became apparent in the Uk in 2005 and mainly targeted our Green / Chaffinches.
Sadly, I've already noticed that a couple of the Chaffinches at Llandegfedd have this disease as you can see in the picture. The feet are the outside signs but eventually they will die as it can leave some birds completely footless. You can help fight this disease by making sure that your feeders in your garden are regularly cleaned as this disease has spread thanks to our feeders.
I'll leave you with a more pleasant picture of a Male Chaffinch, as you can see, they have a mossy green rump which is often all you see as they fly off in the distance.
For many hours I have sat inside Green Poole Hide at Llandegfedd during every season but by far the most amazing experience I've had has been during winter when the wintering Teal and Wigeon arrive. The sound of Teal is just magical, it just doesn't sound like a Duck! It sounds even more incredible when you get 200+ birds gather in a small pool. I ran back to the car in the rain to get my recording gear as they all of a sudden started to perform mating rituals in the centre of the pool having spent most of the time around the edge resting. Suddenly the place came alive with sound. I've done the best I could to record this experience for you but it was taken inside a hide so you will hear a few creaks and cracks from the wood work. I hope you enjoy the recording.
Llandegfedd is a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its over-wintering Wildfowl and amongst the many species that visit Llandegfedd, Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck are usually in fairly large numbers (despite those numbers decreasing). This recording was taken out side one of the hides on the reserve called the 'Green Pool Hide'. Green pool is so named because it has been designed to detach from the main body of water when the water level drops. This allows water to fill naturally according to the weather and currently it is over 20ft higher than the main body of water. This opportunity has been brilliant however because it means we get gatherings like this with over 200 birds crammed into a small pool.
Is that an Osprey on the Osprey Platform?! no.. It's 'just' a Peregrine Falcon! No biggy!
There is so much beauty in nature! Its mad to think that some Butterflies and Dragonflies are actually hibernating right now in this horrid winter weather but some do! Some actually survive for another breeding year. I find it incredible that insects like these that rely so much upon the sun, actually manage to survive our winters. Granted, most of them die but so far with a mild winter, we may get a few early appearances come spring/summer next year. The Common Darter is one species that manages to push the boundaries of seasons. They are usually the first to emerge and the last to give into autumn.
I've now set up a direct donations button on the Llandegfedd Winter Feeding Station page This will allow quick and simple donations if you feel you would like to contribute to the project. Despite having a project Bursary from GOS, I'd still appreciate local support as any un-used money will go straight into a 'Llandegfedd Kitty' from which we can extend the project into the spring/summer or replace broken feeders and buy cleaning equipment. Thanks in advance and many thanks to all that have contributed so far. It's made all the difference in the lead up towards Christmas. I'll leave you with this picture and quote "Feed the Birds" :D. £10 a bag! haha just kidding.
These survey results so far are pretty decisive. Marsh Tits are not doing so well at all, which is not really new information as they are currently a Red Status species. My question is, why? Especially considering the location of Llandegfedd and its prime surrounding woodland: that for the most part is currently undisturbed habitat (in a loose sense). I guess there is a fine line between 'undisturbed and under-managed' so it could be that even though its prime habitat, nest locations could be inaccessible?. Usually these results show a lack of breeding or a failure in breeding activity. It could be that Marsh Tits are sensitive (much like our Pied Flycatchers) and are more prone to failing in bad weather conditions. (It certainly can get quite wet and windy at Llandegfedd). It could also be a lack of food source throughout spring or even winter. Marsh Tits actually change their diet during winter and I have noticed a big difference in the way that Marsh Tits present themselves to the feeders, and even in what they choose to eat.
In my time monitoring the Marsh Tit, I've noticed that (like many species) they seem to have a favourite type of seed. In this case, it's actually the shelled 'Black Sunflower Seeds'. Why is this? and why would a bird purposely go for the hardest seed to eat?
You would think that the Marsh Tit would prefer Sunflower Hearts out of everything because the shells have been taken off for them which means quicker and easier access to the fat they need. This is clearly not the case so why? Well, I've also noticed that this fussy eater isn't actually eating the Black Sunflower Seeds at all... or at-least not straight away. It is cashing them in the woodland, much like Jays, Squirrels and Nuthatches, this Bird is taking all the Shelled seeds because they last much longer when stored with the shell on. Nature always lives in the moment and if a food source is found, it is taken advantage of in the most officiant way possible. Storing these seeds in their shells means that this Marsh Tit can rely on a steady food source throughout the winter and it is only taking the energy it needs in small amounts at a time. This winter is quite mild so it may have access to a stable amount of natural food as-well.
I've bigged this bird up to be very intelligent, and it is! so why aren't they doing so well? It could be that the Marsh Tit doesn't successfully find all the cashed seeds. Harsh Winters may cover the seeds over in snow or get washed away? Who knows! They may have a bad memory and may not actually find the seeds at all.. While all these factors play a part, it has to come back to habitat. So what it is about Llandegfedds habitat that is only supporting a small population of Marsh Tits? As you can see in the results above, Blue tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits are all doing really well, this is actually a problem for the Marsh Tit considering all 3 species compete for the same type of nest locations (Small holes in trees). Marsh Tits also take a long time to populate 1 area and are prone to having only 1 brood of chicks every year. By far the biggest flaw for the Marsh Tit is its loyalty to broadleaf woodland. By Loyalty I mean, they will often settle on a hospitable woodland but rarely ever leave that woodland, this means that their population isn't spreading, especially considering that most of our woodlands are staggered. This is certainly the case at Llandegfedd as connections between woodlands have been lost. This puts pressure on the Marsh Tit specifically and means that their population is stunted leaving birds like Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits to have an over-all advantage as they aren't so dependant on broadleaf woodland.
You may be looking at a mountain side in Wales and think, what is he talking about? There are trees everywhere! but I specifically mentioned Broadleaf woodlands. Having a couple acres of Coniferous woodland fragments deciduous (broadleaf) woodlands and we loose vital connections that results in suppression of specialist species.
We need to re-built connections between deciduous woodlands by either replanting or allowing areas to self seed naturally or we need to plan ahead and replant a general mixture of trees in replace of our coniferous woodlands . A mixed woodland may be all it takes to re-bridge gapes. We can also help by planting more of a mixture in our hedgerows. Not only will this create a more hospitable environment for our wildlife but it may be the only way to regain connections between woodlands. I think this is the way to go at Llandegfedd specifically and it is perfectly possible to connect the 3 of our main woodlands around the lake as we have plenty of hedgerows. Something worth thinking about and certainly something I'll be pushing for at Llandegfedd for feature restoration projects.
Thanks for reading my write up on the Marsh Tit, I'll leave you with a picture of the Black Sunflower Lover.
With all this mild weather, I'm reminded of spring and summer activities. Here is a photograph taken in the Forest of Dean right from the car park at Symonds Yat Rock. Beautiful Silver-washed Fritillaries! My first ever Fritillary Butterfly and still one of my favourites.
I just wanted to remind people that this section of Llandegfedd is completely off limits to general public and only accessed by permit holders. On the weekend I had to open the gate up for 2 people on their push bikes who had just cycled down the off limit path. For 1, they shouldn't be on their bike anyway and 2 they shouldn't be climbing locked gates/fences. They got to the fishermans car park, realised the main gate was locked and decided they needed to go all the way back down the path that is off limits. Instead, I opened the gate for them so they didn't cause even more disturbance. Please read the signs and if gates are locked, they are locked for a reason. Also, if you arrive at this gate (picture below) and see that it is locked, that doesn't mean you park your car outside the gate and walk thru. This entrance is regularly used by myself and other permit holders and you could be blocking people in or out. I've now started locking the gate in a way that prevents people from trying to get through so hopefully that will put people off.
Be sensible folks : )
I didn't know what to expect when I first started filling the feeders at Llandegfedd but after only a week we had Marsh Tit and the species list has been growing ever since. We've had a few visits from Siskin though a bit randomly and finally the local Nuthatches have caught on. They were actually the slowest of the native species to get onto these feeders.. I'm not sure why that is but i'm happy they have arrived. Even if they do steal all the nuts...
Let's face it, Winter hasn't really happened yet in terms of cold weather.. It's been so warm that I've witnessed courtships between certain bird species and even nest building! The warm weather confuses them into a false sense of Spring arrival. It's not just the birds however that are getting excited! Today I've noticed that I have Daffodils sprouting up in my Garden already!
