Viewing entries tagged
Lapwing

Spring Buildup

Just when I thought spring was arriving, we get hit with yet more rain and another cold weather front. It’s been such an odd spring so far, no doubt April has a lot of making up todo as March had to have been one of the coldest we’ve had for a long time. Reminds me of our last ‘beast from the east’ though, thankfully not near as much snow. Either way, birds are still very much gearing up for spring, some sitting on eggs already despite the cold and many migrants turning up. Below is selection of my spring so far, everything from spawning frogs, to late winter migrants, still holding onto that bitter end of winter.

I’ve been lucky to have a few trips this season (before the busy Bat season begins), one trip to Slimbridge which is always a pleasure, another to the Forest of Dean which is another experience I enjoy during the spring. Lastly more recent local trips to see some of our last Waxwing of the winter season and a wintering Black Redstart in Cardiff, which was epic.

Above you’ll also see some weirdly colourful creatures which is a story unto itself, as I discovered these Fairy Shrimp a few years ago now on the Gwent Levels, and as if that wasn’t awesome enough, I discovered more last night under the cover of darkness, which also revealed their incredible colours!! Something you do not get to see by daylight very well at all, but the direct light from my head torch revealed what looks like a bioluminescent-like colouration, with everything from electric blue to pink in the tips of their tails. What fantastic creatures. Fascinating lifestyle too.

Whilst on a nocturnal survey last night I couldn’t resist to record a snippet of the Displaying Lapwing and Wildfowl. One thing that many landowners forget, is that it's not what they see by day that really counts, as at night the levels come alive! Not just your typical Owl activity but many waders and wildfowl function throughout the night, whether it’s feeding, displaying, mating, you name it, they do it all under the cover of darkness. With birds also migrating at night, there’s a whole world of data that we are not truly picking up on. Right now, there isn’t a major requirement todo extensive nocturnal surveys for birds, but I would argue, especially for wildfowl, that nocturnal data should make up more than 50% of the survey effort. Nocturnal displays during the spring paint a far bigger picture for waders than any daytime survey possibly could, which is where static audio data could pave a way forward for ornithological studies. Not to mention, we’re not taking any nocturnal migratory species into account.

Take note of this displaying Lapwing. If you’ve heard one before, you’ll notice that this guy has what I can only describe as a ‘sneeze’ in the middle of its display. It’s quite adorable.

Will end with two landscapes shots of two lovely locations in Gwent, Cefn Ila Nature Reserve and The Blorenge.

Seasonal Greetings

Summary

What a year it’s been. The impact of 2020 will be felt for a long time I’m sure, but I do believe there’s been some important lessons for us all this year. I had a very scary experience with Covid in April, being hospitalised twice, and despite coming out the other end, it’s been months before I’ve felt some what myself again. I have been very lucky, and I think that’s the whole point with this virus as it affects everyone differently. To think that there are still sceptic people out there who deny the very reality of Covid, just because there remains a cloud of mystery around how data is interpreted. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about how accurate the death counts were, people ARE dying and HAVE died from this virus, and that should be enough for people to start thinking about their actions. That doesn’t mean living in fear, it means proactively making decisions to minimise risks. That is literally all we can do. I think the government have had to make very difficult decisions this year, for the economy and peoples wellbeing. Do I think they made all the right decisions? of course not. There were times that too much trust was given to the people, and there were times where we weren’t given enough trust., timings were never perfect, typically too late to act but sometimes too early. Ultimately though, the power always remained in own hands and if we all continue to make sensible decisions, that doesn’t put others at risk, then that is all we can do. I really do feel for people who’s careers have been put on hold, kids that have lost out on a basic education and the amount of pressure put on small businesses, people who are self-employed or rely on face-face interactions to do their Job. I can’t imagine what you’ve all had todo in order to survive this. Of course some people simply haven’t, and are continuing to find their way out the other end of this long tunnel, but I do believe this will come to an end. Who would have thought we’d already have a vaccine? Am I sceptical about how fast it’s been produced and approved? Not at all. Will I have a vaccine if they become available to public? without a doubt, because I do not what to catch that virus again. If there is anything we had to succeed in as a race, it was this. We’ve overcome so much in our history already and I’m sad to say, this will unlikely be the last. We’re going to face big challenges in the future, with even greater stakes on the table. Climate change is catching up with us but all we can do is work together and great things can be achieved.

Willow Tit

So what else has 2020 produced? Well, conservation partners like the RSPB, BTO, WWT, DAERA, JNCC, NatureScot, NE and NRW have all worked together to compiled a ‘State of the Uk’s Bird’s 2020’ report.
It’s worth a read so here’s the link to BTO’s website, on which you can download the report yourself.
We all new species are declining all over the world.

One of the many declining species on the report, was the Willow Tit, which is now Britains fastest declining native species. This news comes just in time as one of our last breeding sites in Gwent has been decimated, so much so that there’s not even a stump left of what was perfect habitat. Enquiries are underway as to how and why this has happened. Thankfully, the site is located in Gwent’s largest forest ‘Wentwood’, so I can only hope the birds that did breed there, have found a suitable alternative elsewhere in the forest. Prior to knowing about the destruction of this breeding site, I found not one, but 3 Willow Tit’s, feeding and following each other around at a new spot in the forest. The habitat isn’t perfect, but it has a mixture of tree’s that will become much more suitable in the next few years. One of the three birds was actually singing, which is early as they don’t usually start till January, but temps so far this winter have been quite mild. I also managed to capture a sound that as apparently been undocumented before, which I’m told is an aggressive ‘warble’ described in old text to have a ‘nightingale feel’. I mistook this sound at first as being some sort of courtship contact call, as it was following what I thought was a female, but it could of actually been another male as I’ve been told that they also flock up in the winter, typical behaviour from the ‘Tit’ family.

Their song though is quite beautiful, and one I won’t mistake if I heard it again.

Looking Back

It seems to be a trend to look back on the years achievements, and despite all odds, it’s actually been a very productive year for me. Developing my sound recording has been both a therapeutic exercise to improve my own wellbeing between lockdowns, but it’s also been an opportunity to develop ideas that supports my new, collaborative business ‘In Our Nature CIC’. We’re so excited to be kicking off 2021 with our first project, which has been supported by HLF Funding. The Project is called ‘My Local Patch’ and you’ll be able to learn more about it here. Soon we’ll have a members area for participants of the project where you’ll be able to download resources and get involved in our workshops between now and the end of March. You can show your interest by creating an account on the website, so we know who you are and can invite you to events. Otherwise keep an eye out on our Facebook group
It’ll depend on Covid guidelines as to how we run this project but we’re hoping that it has a little of something for everyone.

I think we’ve all had our mental health tested this year. We’re not built for confinement, we need the outdoors, which is why we encourage everyone to make the most of each opportunity we get to enjoy our green spaces. This is where sound recording’s come into play though, as there are people who are stuck indoors, so to be able to listen to nature at home can be a powerful thing.

Watch this space: https://www.inournaturecic.co.uk

I've had lots of memorable moments with nature this year, most of which have been without the camera to be honest, but despite getting many planned Nightjar shots, it was this unplanned scene that was my favourite. I’ve learned quite a bit this year about the requirements and preferences of Nightjar, why they choose certain spots over others and what they do in all kinds of different weather conditions. They are quite incredible birds and can be some what predictable once you know what they require, but this spot was totally out of the blue and the last place I expected to find her as it was right out in the open. This was post-breeding, so I suspect she was enjoying the open area for a change after spending most of the year sat in wet poo on the ground from the youngsters.

Some of the biggest highlights though have most certainly been whilst sound recording.
As horrific as it was, for the first time in centuries the world was almost faced with complete silence with no cars on the road, no planes in the air and factories closed. Just sticking your head out the window was very strange and people were starting to notice the sounds of birds once again. Suddenly peoples Gardens become more important than ever, as people fed their garden birds and appreciated what they had in their doorstep.

I was lucky to still be working at that point, as I work alone in the countryside so no risks of social engagement. Farmers were still working though, so I couldn’t escape that sound, but considering this recording was taken under a mile away from what would otherwise be a raging sound from the M4 motorway, I was amazed I was able to capture such a peaceful recording of this Grasshopper Warbler:

Another lockdown magical moment was with a pair of displaying lapwing on the gwent levels. The only sound of man came from a nearby farm but the location was otherwise deadly silent, so much so that you could hear the wingbeats of passing Bats! It was insanely quiet and a moment I will never forgot.

I had many throughout the year, too many to share but here’s a Nightjar, Cuckoo, Pied Flycatcher and a Weasel, which was one of many mammals I got to record this year, like Water Shrew, Wild Boar, and a few Bat species too.

The list is too long for me to chose but I think you get the picture. We have almost come full circle and soon spring will be here. I hope this spring will be the release we all need but if we are back in lockdown once again, just think about the peace that wildlife will get during that time of silence. I hope 2021 you’ll be able to find your own tranquility in this busy world.

Wild Boar Humbug Hug 6th March copy.jpg





What's your Soundtrack?

I can’t imagine when the last time the earth experienced such a mass global silence before. It’s a sound recordists dream! but also a total nightmare all at the same time, as we’re unable to get out and enjoy this beautiful ambience. That said, I hope that the millions of people finding themselves in isolation are noticing the silence around their homes, gardens or during their daily walk. Silence is a powerful healer as we give our ears time to rest and reset. We’ve tried to mitigate the sounds of the city by designing noise-cancelling headphones, but the issue with that is, you replace the silence with something that’s usually just as loud, and potentially damaging to our ears. Chose your soundtrack wisely. If I had the choice between spending the morning listening to my favourite songs or to listen to a dawn chorus, I’d pick the dawn chorus every time.

On that note, If you have headphones, please put them on and listen to this beautiful display I recorded at work. You’ll hear several species in the background, from Snipe, Teal, Swans, Water Rail, Little Owl and throughout the recording are Bat’s overhead. Most people won’t be able to hear the Bats so I’ve lowered the pitched in another recording so you can hear what they sound like. This recording is one of the most memorable moments of my life. This location is usually washed with the sounds of road/air traffic noise, so you very rarely get to hear the acoustics of the land.

Over the top of this same moment was plenty of Pipistrelles enjoying the warm night and what you’re mostly hearing in the recording below is their social call. My microphone cannot capture full spectrum but I’m looking into ways that I can record the sounds of bats as they do make some incredible sounds that most people would not have experienced before.

The recording below only exists thanks to the ‘pre-record’ function on my Mixpre 6 ii. The function allows you to record a few seconds before you actually press the record button, which means it’s always recording and just keeps those seconds prior to you pressing the button. It’s not something I rely upon as I’m often walking so it usually just captures me fumbling around trying to get the subject in focus, but in this case, it did help me document my first ever drumming Snipe. You wouldn’t believe this sound was created by their outer tail feathers and not their mouth.

Everyone is experiencing this lockdown differently and my thoughts go out to those who have very little at this time to enjoy, or are having to isolate themselves in an abusive home. Remember that in the event of social abuse you ARE aloud to leave your home and if you believe you are a victim, please call the police and seek advice. Your home should be a safe place, not a prison sentence.

My street is about as diverse as a chemical plant and as the council have closed the canal, (rightly so) I’m not able to get out and have my nature fix. If you read my last blog you’ll see I’ve found a way of getting my fix and I can’t believe I’ve never done this before! Last week I had Curlew, Oystercatchers, Water Rail, Moorhen and since then I’ve managed to get my first Common Scoter Flock!

Inland records are always important to record as they would otherwise spend their lives at sea, so to get one over the house in Sebastopol is a big deal. I have recorded them at Llandegfedd Reservoir, usually after a bad storm where the sea gets a little too rough but they can be recorded inland on lakes during migration.
Learn more here - https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/common-scoter/

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

I’ll leave you with the sound of early spring, the only recording I could get prior to lockdown of spring arrivals.

Chiffchaff

Wader Week

The last two weeks we've started to get our first southern movement of Waders, along with other early spring / summer breeders that have either failed to breed or have already fledged their first brood of chicks. It's a good time of year as you really could get anything turning up at the Reservoir. Lucky for me I get to scan the banks while on Boat patrols at work and the last two days have pulled up quite a few waders that I would have missed if walking on the bank. Today I found a single Oystercatcher, 6 Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank. Also this week we've had a pair of Little Ring Plover, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and a single Juvi Lapwing. 
Hard to believe that we used to have Lapwing breeding onsite in decent numbers and now we're lucky if we get a single summer visit from one.