New survey reveals the mysterious creatures living in Merseyside gardens

Grass snake

A new survey has revealed the continued decline in sightings of some of our most familiar and favourite garden wildlife, with the RSPB calling on people across Merseyside to take up the Wild Challenge this summer to uncover the mysterious creatures living in their garden.

More than 100,000 wildlife enthusiasts around the UK, including over 2600 in Merseyside took part in the survey. Results from the county showed that hedgehogs were seen in around 60 per cent of gardens or outdoor spaces. Worryingly the spiny mammals were absent from almost a quarter of Merseyside gardens.

Moles spend most of their lives alone, digging tunnels and hunting for food only occasionally coming to the surface. They remained elusive to the majority of Merseyside gardens that recorded wildlife, with both the creatures themselves and their more familiar molehills going unseen in over 60 percent of outdoor spaces. Great crested newts also went unseen to the majority of people throughout the county, as the secretive reptile wasn’t spotted in around two-thirds of gardens.

For the second year running participants were asked to keep an eye out for foxes and stoats. The results showed that foxes were seen in over 50 per cent of Merseyside gardens that took part in the survey.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientists, said: “Often the wildlife we see in our garden is the first experience we have with nature – whether it’s a robin perched on the fence or a hedgehog snuffling around looking for its next meal. Unfortunately, the sights and sounds of wildlife that was once common to us are sadly becoming more mysterious to people.

“There are simple things we can all do to make our gardens perfect of wildlife. From creating a feeding station for birds or hedgehogs to digging a small pond to help amphibians, these easy activities can help turn your garden into a wildlife haven.”

With the wildlife on people’s doorsteps becoming increasingly mysterious to them, the RSPB is calling on Merseyside families to spend more time outside this summer and reconnect with the nature that surrounds them by taking on the Wild Challenge.

By completing fun and engaging activities ranging from minibeast safaris and rock pooling to creating a hedgehog cafe and planting for wildlife, families can take their first steps on their own wild adventure. There are 24 activities to choose from that will take you from your own back garden to exploring towns, cities, woodlands and even the coast.

Emma Reed, RSPB Education, Families and Youth Manager in Northern England, said:  “Studies have shown how getting outside and discovering nature is really important for children’s mental and physical well being and it also provides memorable, fun family time. Every child should have the opportunity to connect with nature so the RSPB’s Wild Challenge is a great way to take your family on a wild adventure.”

The RSPB’s ambition is for the Wild Challenge to help more families across the country reap the benefits of spending time outside in nature. Research has shown that children who have a healthy connection to nature are more likely to benefit from higher achievement at school, better mental and physical health, and develop stronger social skills.

To learn more about the RSPB Wild Challenge and to see how you can take your firsts steps on your own wildlife adventure, visit rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge

 

 

     2675 participants provided information about other wildlife that visits their garden when they took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch in Merseyside. The overall county results are:

 

2017	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	24	55	32	14
Grass snake	0.2	1	77	22
Great crested newt	0.1	2	66	32
Hedgehog	23	62	22	16
Mole	14	21	62	17
Slow worm	5	8	64	28
Stag beetle	2	9	49	42
Stoat	1	6	74	20

 

     109,697 Big Garden Birdwatch participants provided information about other wildlife that visits their garden. The overall UK results are:

 

2017	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	41	70	20	10
Grass snake	1	12	65	23
Great crested newt	1	5	67	29
Hedgehog	24	61	24	15
Mole	29	40	48	12
Slow worm	6	22	53	25
Stag beetle	4	21	41	38
Stoat	2	13	67	20

 

% change 2016-17	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	1	-2	-2	20
Grass snake	-22	-11	-6	33
Hedgehog	-5	-4	3	13
Slow worm	-4	-8	-6	26
Stoat	6	13	-11	55

 

     The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch other wildlife survey is a partnership between the RSPB, Amphibian and Reptile Trust, The Mammal Society and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

 

   Merseyside families might like to explore the RSPB’s Burton Mere Wetlands nature reserve on the Dee Estuary. With den building, seasonal quiz trails and explorer backpacks available every day, they have plenty of opportunities for families to kick start their Wild Challenge. Visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands for details.

 

Families might also like to explore the RSPB’s Marshside nature reserve near Southport. With a rich variety of wonderful wildlife to spot throughout the seasons, families can kick start their Wild Challenge. Visitrspb.org.uk/marshside for details.

RSPB Leighton Moss celebrates 30 years of iconic bird of prey

Marsh Harrier     David Mower

Thirty years ago this summer, RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale made history.  For the first time in well over a hundred years, one of Britain’s rarest birds, the marsh harrier, returned to nest in Lancashire, choosing the reserve’s vast reed beds as its home. They have nested ever since and the site is encouraging visitors to come and witness these spectacular birds in action.

In the early 1970s just one pair of marsh harriers was known to nest in the whole of the UK but thanks to conservation efforts these spectacular birds slowly increased in number. In April 1987 a pair arrived at Leighton Moss and successfully raised three chicks at the RSPB’s flagship reserve. 

Marsh harriers are large and impressive birds of prey which usually spend the winter in Africa, returning here in the spring. It is thought that there are now around 400 pairs breeding in Britain every year. Unfortunately the recovery of marsh harriers has not been mirrored by the widely publicised decline of their close relative the hen harrier, which is perilously close to extinction as a breeding bird in England.

Since their return to Lancashire thirty years ago, marsh harriers have nested at Leighton Moss annually; raising in excess of 200 youngsters over three decades. Staff and volunteers have been keeping a close eye on the two nests at Leighton Moss this year and on 30 June they were thrilled to see the first chick taking its inaugural flight.

Over the coming weeks, the young birds will be stretching their wings and learning to hunt for themselves, so it’s the perfect time to visit Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve to see them. The parents are continuing to provide food for the hungry fledglings and visitors may see several harriers in the air at one time!

Jarrod Sneyd, Site Manager at RSPB Leighton Moss said “When these superb birds first nested on the reserve in 1987 we were thrilled. The success of marsh harriers at Leighton Moss over the last thirty years has been astounding and it goes to show just how valuable our precious wetlands and reed beds are to the wildlife that makes its home in these special places”.      

For the chance to see these iconic birds, pop along to the visitor centre at Leighton Moss between 9.30 am and 5 pm, where staff and volunteers will happily direct visitors to where the birds might be.

To find out more about the other amazing wildlife on the reserve and the range of events being held over the summer, visit rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss

Time to celebrate your local meadows

Hay meadow - Andy Hay RSPB images

Date: National Meadows Day Wildflower Walk, Saturday 1 July  10 am-12 pm

National Meadows Day, dedicated to celebrating and protecting our vanishing wildflower meadows and the wealth of wildlife they support, will take place on Saturday 1 July 2017.

This year's National Meadows Day will be the biggest yet, with over 100 events taking place across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The team at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands are inviting visitors to come along for a guided walk to admire and learn all about the rich array of wildflowers on the reserve. The event takes place on Saturday 1 July from 10 am-12 pm and includes exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the reserve’s hay meadow which boasts special flowers including yellow rattle and ragged robin.

Places are limited so advanced booking and payment is essential. The walk covers some grassland and farmland so is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and a decent level of fitness is required.

Additionally, throughout July a self-led quiz trail will encourage families to look a little closer at the colourful plants around the reserve’s nature trails. Available daily at the visitor reception from 9.30 am-4.30 pm, free of charge.

Venue: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Lane, Burton, Cheshire, CH64 5SF

Contact: For further details visit www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands or phone the visitor reception on 0151 353 8478 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk

Give us the honey?

Scorchio, a blazing June Sunday saw those of us not celebrating father’s day heading for the lakes district, un-rainy day whey hey! Our destinations for the day were Foulshaw Moss and Haybridge nature reserves, but why not take a quick diversion on the way and drop-in to Latterbarrow nature reserve, a lovely little site full of wildflowers and their nectar foragers. 

Latterbarrow

The underlying limestone of Latterbarrow supports grassland seeded with wild flowers such as columbine, ox-eye daisy, bistort, scabious, rattle and agrimony, shrubby rockrose, nettle and brambles. However this is a special site for orchids, such as fragrant, fly and butterfly orchid. Many butterfly species favour the site, including the rarer species; northern brown argus and silver washed fritillaries. 

Butterfly orchid

Black & yellow longhorn beetle on common spotted orchid

During our brief visit we managed to find 2 butterfly orchids, sadly past their best and hundreds of fragrant orchid, the fly orchid eluded us.  We were very pleased to locate a brown argus; we also saw white and green veined white, skipper, meadow brown and ringlet. 

4 spotted chaser

Our first of many dragonflies for the day was 4 spotted chaser.

Arriving at Cumbria wildlife trust's Foulshaw Moss, we were entertained by an aerial tussle between a marsh harrier and a couple of buzzards, terrific.  We were then given a talk by John the warden on how Foulshaw’s 350 hectares of peat bog had been restored, including the removal of hectares of conifers and rhododendron and the creation of new habitats including reed beds, openwater, scrub and wet grassland. It continues to develop; a further board walk was in place since our last visitor the reserve.

Ospey nest foulshaw

Foulshaw viewing platform - Neil Prendergast

Foulshaw boardwalk

Foulshaw reserve

We then took to the boardwalk. The landscape was beautiful, with the cotton grass swaying in the peat bog, water glistening in the pools. Dragon and damselflies were abundant on the reserve, zooming across the ponds. Sadly we didn’t get to see the recently re-introduce white faced darter, but we did see broad bodied  chaser and black darter along with the smaller red and blue damselflies.

Broad bodied  chaser

Black darter

The bird feeding station was visited by chaffinch, bullfinch, blue, great and coal tit. A couple of treecreepers scurried up a nearby tree. 

Redpoll

Redpolls were a pleasure to see, twittering and displaying overhead. Plenty of hirundines on site, taking advantage of the insect bounty sustained by the moss land.   By the pools, close to the boardwalk, stonechat and reed buntings were found.

There are two viewing platforms at the end of the boardwalks; these are the osprey watch points. There are 2 osprey nesting sites on the reserve. Distant but observable by telescope.  Blue 35 and the male White YW have bred at Foulshaw for the last 3yrs, fledging 8 young. The trust believes they have 2 chicks this year, confirmation hampered as the birds have nested at the newer site, which doesn’t have nest cameras!

Visitor centre watch point, Haybridge

We descend on Haybridge for lunch and a cuppa, supped in the shady veranda of the Haybridge visitor centre and watchpoint. The reserve, stretching for miles to see looked spectacular, a rural idyllic vision on a sunny day.  A cock pheasant greeted us in the courtyard, strutting proudly, with his gaudy bright dream coat.

Spotted flycatcher - Neil Prendergast

Fledgling thrush

 Luckily for us the spotted flycatchers had returned to the nestboxes on the visitor centre, so we were treated to the comings and goings of the adults feeding their hungry chicks.  Too late for the pied flys though, their nest on the moss land boardwalk had already fledged. Siskins, greenfinch, and goldfinches clamoured for their share at the niger feeder.

Siskin & goldfinches - Neil Prendergast

Grass snake

Common Lizard

Surprise sightings was an wonderful view of a common lizard sunbathing on the wall  by the veranda and we were amazed when a large grass snake slithered and wound its way across the courtyard as we made our way out to the moss’s path. Birdsong of willow warbler, chiff chaff, wren, song thrush, blackbird, and hirundines acompanied us along the path; About half a mile along  the path, the trees thin, here we heard then saw a parachuting tree pipit, another ‘hoped to see’ bird for the day.

Haybridge NR

Tree pipit on conifer

Back at the watch point we centred our search over the hillside and ridge of the Rusland valley. This is a good raptor viewpoint, and we were not disappointed as we saw osprey, common and the much sought after honey buzzard, the latter giving himself away with his special butterfly or clapping flight display, whey hey!

Another grand day out in the lakes with the gang.


Laura

(All pictures l bimson unless stated)

Inspired by our lovely day out at Foulshaw

The day was really glorious, the sun was shining bright

When we all set off for Foulshaw to put ospreys in our sight

We were very lucky they were sitting on the nest

And with the right equipment the sightings were the best

Other birds were active flying all around

Redpolls and warblers making lots of birdie sound

Let’s not forget the Stonechat seen sitting in a tree

Fluffing up his plumage for all of us to see

We then moved on to Haybridge to get some food inside

We sat on the veranda and admired the countryside

Watching siskins on the feeder and buzzards gently glide

We even saw a grass snake it really was a size

Most had never seen one so got a big surprise

And then for the finale before we got on our way

Along came a honey buzzard slapping wings in fine display.

Carole Lacey

Berlin Birding

If you want to see a Goshawk, go to Berlin.

For some reason this elusive raptor, which hides itself away in the deepest of forests over here, is comparatively easy to see in Berlin – just check out this article from the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/13/berlin-goshawks-urban-wildlife-tempelhof-airport-birdwatching (and, bearing in mind that there’s an election next week and impartiality is required, here’s another from the Telegraph): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/germany/berlin/articles/Berlin-an-unlikely-paradise-for-birders/ ).

I’d just spent a few days in Baden-Wurttemberg visiting my brother and my German sister-in-law and had already seen such species as Fieldfare (distinctly out of place in baking late May), Serin and many, many Black Redstarts but I was now in the big city and looking to get my birding bearings.

Sparrow art

First of all, House Sparrows are everywhere and are quite forward, jumping on to your café table in search of crumbs and clearly making a mark on the local graffiti artists.

As previously alluded to, Black Redstarts are also very common, seemingly swapping places with the Robin in terms of numbers and behaviour, one’s attention frequently being drawn to their ‘electric river’ song, and the Hooded Crow rules the roost over our more usual Carrion Crow. They also seem rather territorial as I was buzzed twice by one before I beat a hasty retreat.

Hooded crow

My main Berlin birding area was the Tiergarten, a beautiful park to the west of the Brandenburg Gate. It's the former hunting park, with winding paths, islands, pondsa an as lake. On the lake mute swans and mallards were the home birds.

Queen Louise, beloved queen of the Prussians

Taking care not to be run over by the many cyclists I heard the usual warblers chff chaff and willow warbler etc but many, many ‘chipping’ woodpeckers, including one chasing another right in front of me. I thought they were all Great Spotted but this site seems to indicate that Middle Spotted may also be around https://germanybirding.com/ so a little ID brushing up may well end up paying off.

My most unusual sighting on my first visit was this little fellow who, judging by his harness, was a pet:

Pet Pig

It was very, very hot so, after being disappointed to find the English Tea Garden closed, I made for the Café Tiergarten on Altonauer Strasse, whose garden gave out over the edge of the Tiergarten, enabling me to see a GSW alighting on a nearby tree, yet more Black Redstarts and a single Common Redstart (I’ve deliberately left the tape in the photo as this part of the field seemed to be where all the action was):

Redstart

Another site that repaid a visit was an unexpected one – Gatow airfield is now a museum and I’d gone to have a look at their old aircraft.

I had to be careful not to make any sudden movements as it seemed the local Black Redstarts had developed missile technology:

Black Redstart

Finally, at the very end of the fighter section stood this old Sukhoi fighter:

Sukhoi

And, sat on the corner of the fence to the left was… a Grey Shrike! It stayed put long enough for me to tell it was a Grey Shrike but, though I had the Collins on me this time, not long enough for me to definitively determine that it was a GGS as opposed to a Lesser before it flew behind some containers and lorries behind said fence.

I’ve posted the question on birdforum.net and, judging by the their responses and https://germanybirding.com/ , it would appear that it was indeed another Great Grey Shrike which is my second in under three months. Crazy times!

In the end the closest I came to seeing a Goshawk was when sitting at Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station and seeing a boat called ‘Habicht’ go by. ‘Habicht’ is German for Goshawk, and it was encouraging to see that the locals are aware of nature’s goodies on their very doorstep.

If anyone’s considering a Berlin trip then I heartily recommend it – history everywhere you look and enough green spaces to break up the sightseeing, with the added attraction that, for most of us, Germany is very much an under-visited and under-watched country from a birding perspective.

Tiergarten Lake

John Doragh

Go wild in your park with the RSPB

Aldi & RSPB Wild Parks- David Broadbent 

• RSPB Connecting with Nature report revealed that only one in five children are connected with nature and are not spending a healthy amount of time outside.
• The RSPB and ALDI have today launched the Wild Parks project aimed at getting families to take a step closer to nature by discovering the wild side of their city.
• Families will be able to join an RSPB expert in parks across Liverpool throughout the summer.

 

With the amount of time children and families are spending outside in nature in decline, Europe’s largest conservation charity and discount supermarket ALDI, are challenging families to get out and go wild in their local city park this summer with the RSPB.

The RSPB Connecting with Nature report revealed that children in the UK were missing out on a wealth of mental and physical benefits from not spending enough time outside, with only one in five having a healthy connection to nature.

To encourage more children and their families to take a step closer to nature the RSPB has launched Wild Parks aimed at getting people to uncover the wild side of their city.

From now until September, families will be able to join an RSPB expert in parks across Liverpool for a range of fun and engaging activities aimed at helping families take their first steps on their own wild adventure. There are a number of activities on offer ranging from minibeast safaris and scavenger hunts to bioblitzing and national treasure hunts, which are all free and do not require pre-sign up.

Mary Breeze, RSPB Wild Parks Family Events Officer for Liverpool, said: “Families gain so much from being outside exploring and discovering nature. Summer is the perfect time to get outside and connect with the natural world. You don't have to travel far from home to embark on your wild adventure; there is loads of wildlife just waiting to be discovered in your local park. From bugs to butterflies, hedgehogs to house sparrows – it’s always a thrill to see what wildlife is making its home there.

“Getting outside and discovering nature is important whether your motivation is happy healthy children, memorable family time or to see our towns and countryside richer in nature. The opportunity to connect with nature should be a part of every child’s life and the RSPB Wild Parks project is here to help every family to explore the wild side of their city.”

Wild Parks also offers the opportunity for families to start their own wild adventure at home with the RSPB Wild Challenge. With 24 activities to choose from, the Wild Challenge will take you from your own back garden to exploring wildlife in towns, cities, woodlands and even the coast. Participants can then log their achievements on the Wild Challenge website in order to collect their bronze, silver and gold awards.

The RSPB’s ambition is for the Wild Challenge to help more families across the country reap the benefits of spending time outside in nature. Research has shown that children who have a healthy connection to nature are more likely to benefit from higher achievement at school, better mental and physical health, and develop stronger social skills.

Jonathan Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: “We’re proud of what our partnership with the RSPB has achieved so far, and are pleased to help promote the importance of safeguarding the environment, while helping families get closer to nature through this new Wild Parks initiative.” 

For further information about park events happening near you, visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildparks

To start your own wild adventure, visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge

Saturday 3 June

Wild Parks - Stanley Park

Sunday 4 June

Wild Parks - Newsham Park

Wednesday 7 June

Wild Parks - Wildlife Workshop - Stanley Park