Fire and Brimstone

It's the end of summer - reflected in the wildlife and the work on the reserve.  Photo Pete McKenzie:

A big annual job is cutting the meadows to ensure next year's crop of orchids comes through.  Much has been done both by volunteers and contractors in recent days:

Another technique we use is the slash and burn, the idea being to removed thatch and organic material from the soil - taking it back to bare earth and removing competition for the more delicate species.  Lukas starts the blaze:

We have also burnt the island on SMW - we alternate each side annually and it results in very nice clean reed bed in which we found the abandoned nests of two reed warbler and a water rail:

Water rails have been quite active around the reserve - this individual delighted those on Saturday's reserve walk - picture by Bill Eggleton:

Something a little different; rail on a rail by Darren Smith:

The spotted crake did not linger - but we've been amazed by the vast numbers of common snipe - 46 last Tuesday and reports of 72 later in the week and 60 yesterday on South Marsh East.  Airborne by
Roy Vincent:

Brian Colley:

And Alan Walkington:

Otherwise an excellent 10+ green sandpiper were the peak since the last post with 10+ common sandpiper, and 4 ruff on the 3rd.  Greens by Roy Vincent:

Brian Colley:

A ringed plover and little ringed plover were both present in the last week of August, up to 2 greenshank and up to three garganey.  All were not best pleased with this young male marsh harrier which has been harrying the marshes of late; Roy Vincent:

 

And Andy Marshall:

Up to three in the week with many migrating over as per Martin's blog with spotted flycatcher details - a nice sighting although tinged with sadness its only on migration.  Also predating the marsh was little egret at point blank range - Francis Bell:

And Bill Eggleton:

Who also snapped this stoat:

And attentive Sparrowhawk:

Along with this kingfisher - specialising in catching marsh frog tadpoles from the electric fence - Brian Colley:

Adult marsh frog - the tadpoles take much longer to develop than the conventional native - Brian Colley:

Fodder for young little grebes too:

The familiar few were present on the North Marsh - Maurice Dowson:

And Roy Vincent:

Otters have been showing too in the last few days - both for Steve Brimble:

Good news is that we have managed to remove two mink in as many weeks - unfortunately not this second male we believe that was photographed by Brian Colley along with the one in the last post:

Roe deer by Pete Drury:

And a bat sp. by Brian Colley:

Med gull and yellow legged gull have been on the res's in recent days with many great crested grebes giving excellent photo ops on the O reservoir.  Barnacle goose has been a welcome spice in amongst the feral greylag flock that has now conglomerated, and up to six red crested pochard have been about for two weeks - though likely of equal provenance.  Lots of cuckoos around too before the second brood head south - Brian Colley:

Several hobby predating dragonflies on North Marsh - and a young common buzzard Steve Brimble:

Star of stage and screen - barn owls - in case you didn't see the Look North piece.  The headline is that the North Marsh pair have reared 9 young this year - the highest amount in a year and also the first time for two broods - Roy Vincent:

All thanks to these fella's - bank voles under the feeders - Brian Colley.

Common buzzard after bigger fayre - lots of rabbits with myxy at the moment giving easy meals - Pete Drury:

And Steve Brimble:

Also on the access road have been up to 36 yellow wagtails going south, along with meadow pipits, white wagtail and linnet.  Another yellow migrant - clouded yellow by Maurice Dowson:

The last of 5 common tern chicks to fledge went last week - Eddie Laker: