A few weeks ago, my friend Jeni asked me what happened to the Grass Snakes and possible predation from either a Weasel or Stoat. I was caught out for a moment and then remembered that I had written about this in a blog…OMG people read this stuff and follow it. And then my friend Mark asked me about the meat discards, I put out at UWNR, and what results I get….
So for the close readers, an update:
The Grass Snakes have returned in good numbers this spring & summer (post hibernation) and I have seen a variety of sizes - a likely indicator of local population health. I tend to look less, under the many sheets of roofing iron I have scattered across UWNR, than I used to. I have a growing sense that the fauna at UWNR needs to be left on its own, as much as possible, and not disturbed. There is a significant body of research which shows that our presence drives away species. E O Wilson has built on this idea, asserting that portions of our planet should completely exclude us - I am persuaded, even at a micro level.
Onto the results of placing lumps of discarded meat on the land….
The camera trap has been furiously clicking away & the roll call of species, taking advantage of the free protein, is impressive - Robins, Blackbirds, Badgers, Jays, Buzzards, Thrushes, Brown Rats, Wrens, Grey Squirrels, Magpies and Maggots. The Buzzards dominate the day shift and often there appears to be a parent - juvenile pair.
I love this shot and just perhaps it shows the smaller juvenile observing and learning, from one of its parents? Knowledge stored for another day. The other striking thing, is how these raptors find the meat discards. I always place them deep in woodland, out of sight & out of direct sunlight. Their keen sense of smell leads them to this food source.
In the most recent edition of the journal, British Wildlife, Brett Westwood (p402) has written a great piece celebrating this Raptor. He notes that 40 years ago they were rare and now they are common occupying much, if not all, of their ancient range. Additionally, he notes their broad diet and opportunistic predation - they have been observed eating earthworms, beetles, frogspawn, young songbirds, cranefly larvae, earwigs, spiders, woodlice, rodents and rabbits. And based on the evidence of the camera trap images from UWNR, carrion. Little wonder they thrive.
Other Great UWNR News:
As ever there has been plenty of activity at UWNR.
We have, for the first time, rotationally cut the (new) field at Hartmoor - this will inflate the field vole population benefitting a range of species. The woodland pond is beginning to host frogs - it is working as intended. Hobbies are now seen often predating on Dragonflies over the main lake. Once they have made a kill they arch away to the north, over the woodland, and you can clearly see them consuming their prey, on the wing. This is a sight to behold. All invertebrate numbers seem to be high this year - as I write the longer grasses are awash with crickets and Dragonflies are to be found hunting, at all corners of the Reserve. Both wild Honeybee colonies are beginning to slow their activity levels - just perhaps they are coming close to completing their harvest. Which leads me onto….
When we felled the old Ash trees, which were riddled with dieback, the last tree presented us with a great opportunity to create another wild Honeybee log hive. Matt Somerville, the renowned honeybee ecologist, reckons that UWNR can sustain 3 hives, placed 500 meters apart. This last hive completes the set of wild Honeybee log hives - we are at capacity.
Over the last 2 weeks various people have played a part in creating this structure. Dan, Pip, Louis, Harry, Bruce and Neo have all contributed and the hive now stands ready for next spring. Thanks one and all. Once we had fitted the roof, we were presented with an opportunity to create a habitat for other invertebrates. Neo (age 10) led on this piece of work…his Dad helped out…
New UWNR friend and volunteer, Neo, with the new Honeybee log hive.
Invertebrate space, ready and waiting….
And to finish; the orchard at UWNR, for the first time, is producing. So now a decent array of fruit is added to the available late summer / early autumn food resources. Species like Badger, Dormice, Wasp and various Moths may take advantage of this…..
