Wildlife and Threave Gardens

Threave is a complicated and varied estate with a lot of segments, so it's nice to see some link-up between two of these working parts - the gardens and the nature reserve - in the form of these sculptures:

You'll find them in the sunken part of the secret garden (if you can find that!) - as you can see, amongst other things there are pieces depicting an osprey, Threave Castle, some bats and some fighting hares, all of which are important features of the nature reserve and indeed Threave Estate as a whole, as the sculptures' location the garden is intended celebrate.

It's worth mentioning that the gardens themselves are beginning to flourish once more and will definitely be worth a visit in the coming weeks and months. Situated very close to the nature reserve, the gardens offer a different kind of spectacle to the wetlands. The beds and lawns are looking particularly neat and trim and the beautiful walled garden will soon be coming into its own. At present there are a great variety of daffodils to be admired both in the garden and around the wider estate (particularly in Keltonhill Wood), in addition to which a particularly fierce battle is being waged between a blue tit, a great tit and a nuthatch to see who will occupy a favoured tree-hole in the gardens' weeping ash this summer. Keltonhill Wood, located further up the hill from the gardens, is an excellent place for viewing red squirrels - and our newly repainted and repaired hide a quiet spot to sit and wait for them. There are also some excellent examples of standing dead wood suitable for bats (particularly noctules):


Closer to the countryside centre is an unmissable large rookery, where the birds are currently very lively in their pair bonding and fighting over nests. The gardens really are a treat for anyone interested in formal gardening, heritage gardening, glasshouse work, fruit and vegetable cultivation, art or wildlife.

In other news, after a few days of only seeing one osprey at a time, some of the NTS staff and members of the public were treated to an exuberant skydance by the male, trying to get the attention of the female who was watching from the nest. Expect more footage and photos in the next few days.

And last but not least, a Hercules plane flying very low over the area roused a group of about 40 greenland white-fronted geese from a site nearby the castle on Monday. In the last few years the Threave wetlands have acted as extremely important wintering sites for these globally threatened birds.

Returners

So the wetlands have been undeniably wild over the weekend and seemingly into this week, with high winds and horizontal rain making their way across the drumlins and marshes at the reserve. Despite this though some of the first spring migrants have been spotted, with several sightings of swallows, sand martins, chiff-chaff and willow tit all documented. Looking forward to some more sights like this one from last year:

In a similar vein, we welcome the return of our osprey volunteers, who will now be regularly on hand with information and a scope at the osprey viewing platform (or in the comparative safety of Castle Hide when the weather is like it has been!) On your walk round the reserve stop, say hello and catch up on the latest osprey activity.

A sighting of both ospreys together has been a little elusive over the past few days, with only one being seen at any one time. Both male and female behaviour has been noted however, including displaying, hunting, nest building and nest occupation, so there are a number of possibilities as to what's going on. Often our schedule means that we get to spend less time at the platform than we might like, so the time given by the osprey volunteers is greatly appreciated and allows us to keep a closer track on the birds' activities.

Wild Wetlands Event - Sunday 14th April

While we've been focusing quite a bit on the incoming ospreys of late, it's important not to forget that they are just part of a much wider range of organisms that make up the different habitats on the reserve.

This Sunday we are holding a Wild Wetlands event as a way of illustrating the richness of our animal and plant life. Part of the Wild Spring Festival (www.wildseasons.co.uk), join us for a closer look at the wetland system, take our quiz trail around the reserve and see it as you may never have done before! There is, after all, always something new to learn.

Event and parking at Kelton Mains both free (donations always welcome!)

11:00 - 16:00

Look forward to seeing you there.

www.wildspringfestival.com

New year; new nest

It feels as though this year has gathered momentum so quickly that there has hardly been time to provide any background to the new season:

Earlier in 2013, there was some concern that the nesting platform previously used by the ospreys was becoming unstable, and would compromise the successful rearing of young in the coming months. Indeed, the concern was great enough that the countryside team took the decision to remove it and establish a new one close-by.

The work was undertaken over a weekend in February by Ciril Ostroznik and NTS D&G senior ranger Karl Munday, utilising branches from the new tree to fashion the basic nest structure. The ospreys have made their mark since arriving though, building the nest up considerably and generally settling in for the summer.

April 3rd: an update

There has been an absolute surge of activity on the reserve in the last few days; our male (frustratingly still unconfirmed) stepping up nest-building activities with the fervour of someone frantically tidying up before the visit of somebody he wishes to impress. Sure enough, reports of a female osprey's arrival on the scene have proved to be true and both were showing extremely well throughout Tuesday, adding considerable amounts of wood to the nest, fishing, perching and posturing for long periods. The photo below (courtesy of L. Phelps) shows just how much the nest has been built up over the last few days:

Following these initial activities, the interaction of the two ospreys culminated with four attempts at mating, which several members of the public were lucky to witness. The viewpoint down on the reserve really does provide fantastic views of the birds, and things are getting ever more exciting as the new month commences.

Elsewhere on the estate there have been good numbers of snipe seeking refuge in the small drainage ditches while the wetland has been frozen over, long-eared owl in the woodlands and the blue-winged teal that has frequented the Lamb Island vicinity of late. Despite the weather, we should soon see the return of some spring migrants to Threave - keep us updated with your sightings either here, on Twitter (@ThreaveOspreys) or on Facebook (NTS Threave Ospreys).

In raptors

It isn't just rumours flying around at Threave in the last couple of days. With reports of birds moving up through the British Isles, there has been an increase in people scanning the river for signs of returning raptors, and on Monday they were rewarded with this:

As yet we have been unable to get the scope on a ring, but both ranger Austin Smith and local resident Jimmy Skilling have reported sightings for the last two days. Without a ring number we cannot yet know whether Black 80 has returned, and indeed this bird may just be passing, but watch this space for further updates, or even better, get down and take a look yourself! The bright, cold, (occasionally) clear weather affords excellent views of the nest vicinity.

There is a tangible sense of excitement here that the ice cannot freeze out, and we'd be really pleased if you felt like sharing your own sightings or information here.

Alternatively, follow us on our new Twitter page (@ThreaveOspreys) and get the latest updates that way. We'll be keeping you informed throughout the season.

Snow, continued

You know that it's an unusual pattern of weather when even the balmy climes of Rockcliffe are wrapped up in an icy blanket. For those of you who don't believe me, here's a taste of what it was like; photos courtesy of ranger Judy Baxter.

Snowed under!

Last week we welcomed the arrival of Austin, this year's seasonal ranger, who appears to have brought the weather with him from his previous posting in the Grampians. Within hours of getting here, the road to Kelton Mains might as well not have existed as the whole area was buried beneath thick, thigh deep snow. Inaccessible by car, the estate path and nature reserve became the province of those determined enough to wade through the drifts. The photo below does some justice to the reward that awaited them:

Splendid isolation.

Since then the countryside team has been busy cutting and clearing the debris whipped up by the high winds, and we're expecting quite a bit more if the forecasters are to be believed. The paths at Rockcliffe are relatively clear and the views across the snowy estuary are rare ones indeed, so if you're cabin feverish after hiding from the weather, consider a trip over there.

March WEBS Count

Each month we take part in a nationwide WEBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count. Here's what you could be seeing as you do the rounds at Threave:

530 Pink-footed goose

54 Teal

201 Wigeon

3 Pintail

1 Goosander

3 Goldeneye

10 Mallard

2 Cormorant

2 Heron

5 Curlew

18 Lapwing

47 Black-headed gull

25 Common gull

8 Oystercatcher

30+ Meadow pipit

6 Reed Bunting

1 Moorhen

Water rail (calling)

100+ Fieldfare and redwing

Skylark

Redpoll

Long-tailed tit

Buzzard

Red Kite

In addition we have seen a return of the Blue-winged teal - an American vagrant that has appeared near Lamb Island over the past few years. To get to Lamb Island, follow the estate path from Kelton Mains along the railway line and the signs to Lamb Island hide. Happy birdwatching!

Open Season

Though it may feel like we are all suffering in the grip of a perpetual winter, Easter is nearly upon us and there are signs that things are changing, both in the air and on the ground. While there are still good numbers of wildfowl about (particularly pink-footed geese), in the next few weeks they will begin to depart, coinciding, we hope, with a new chapter in the Threave osprey story. Already birds have been noted passing upwards through the British Isles, and we look forward to not only keeping you updated here, but keeping in touch with the UK's other osprey rehabilitation projects as well.

Preparations are already underway for the coming season, and we are excited to announce that our numbers in the D&G Countryside Team will be swelling even more than usual. We are currently advertising for two newly created positions - an osprey ranger and a bat reserve ranger - to develop and promote these vital projects. For more information, see: http://www.countryside-jobs.com/cjsdailyonline/Mar13/1803_4.html

As Scotland's first 'Bat Reserve', Threave has an important role to play in raising awareness and encouraging mutually beneficial interaction with bats. There are seven species present on the estate alone, and though the cold weather means hunting activity is currently limited, come summer we hope to run a number of events alongside the self-led walk that is currently in place. Expect to hear more in the near future!

As many bat species have come to rely on standing structures as roosts, it is important that any building maintenance undertaken takes this into account. Our countryside centre at Threave Estate is currently undergoing roof work (pictured below), after appropriate discussions between the construction team and Karl, the senior ranger.

2013 looks to be a promising year for the D&G Countryside team...watch this space.

Winter Flocks

We have around 6-700 Pink-footed geese, using the estate and nature reserve, its quite a spectacle when birds are flighting in and out of their roosts. The behaviour of the birds is very much influenced by land management patterns and the weather, especially water levels. Its always a special time of year, with the sight and sounds of a skein of pink-footed geese, flying over. We have also Greenland White-fronted geese with 141 being counted by Arthur Thirwell on the 7th November. These birds are best looked at from Threave nature reserve, and scan the fields behind the castle. We also hosted a roost of around 91 Canada geese on Black park marsh for a short while, this has become a regular event over the last couple of years. The Canada goose population locally is increasing and this may become a regular pattern of the birds using the reserve. We will have to monitor and understand any potential impacts this may have over time. Our duck numbers continue to increase with Teal, Wigeon and Mallard, but also Pintail  and Tufted duck being present in reasonable numbers at times, over the last week.

A flock of 22 Skylark flew over the reserve yesterday and flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing are here in good numbers, with Coal tit, Blues tit, and Willow tit along with Goldcrests using the hedges as they commute between feeding areas in our woodlands. Also Siskin and Redpoll are feeding on birch and alder seeds.

Much to my amazement was the numbers of bats actively foraging along the Threave estate walk last night as I was trying to get to grips with the goose roosts just before dark. Bats still need to build up fat reserves prior to hibernation, and given the spring and summer they have had, they need to maximise any good weather opportunities and eat all the insect food they can get prior to the main onset of winter.

Both Hen harrier and Red kites are showing well on and near the reserve along with Kestrel putting in regular appearances over the last few days, which is always nice to see.

Please get out and enjoy Threave Nature Reserve and let us know if you see any interesting wildlife sightings.

all the best

Karl

Wildlife update

We have had some good wildlife sightings over the last few weeks with around 500 Pink footed geese flighting in to the wetland. Also here are some notable birds :-
Lapwing 76
Teal 101
Whooper swan 4
Shoveler 4
Wigeon
Mallard 40
Little grebe
Moorhen
Cormorant
Kingfisher
Reed bunting
Siskin
Redpoll
Skylark
Raven
Redwing
Fieldfare
Red Kite

The Dumfries & Galloway Countryside team have also been very busy cutting meadows over at Rockcliffe and we hosted an NTS Volunteer Thistle camp lately with various practical tasks undertaken during the week, including footpath maintenance. gorse control and assisting with an archaeological project at Threave.

Recent Wildlife Sightings at Threave nature reserve

Threave Wildlife seen on nature reserve

Our wildfowl numbers will begin to increase over the coming months, the water levels have been high recently and the river has a fast flow today, so most birds were seen fro the hides on the reserve and lamb island hide.

Pink footed goose
Greylag goose
Canada goose
Teal
Wigeon
Mallard
Heron
Lapwing
Kingfisher
Fieldfare
Redwing
Buzzard
Red kite
Raven
Jay
Bullfinch
Chaffinch
Redpoll
Willow tit
Tree sparrow

Excellent views of Roe deer and the Historic Scotland staff informed us of good Otter watching on the river near the castle. Why not come and visit and enjoy a visit to Threave wetlands and look out for some of the amazing wildlife.

Please do let us know of your sightings at any of our countryside properties in Dumfries and Galloway.

Tree climbing to put bat boxes Threave Bat Reserve

We have recently combined a training session tree climbing and putting up bat boxes in Kelton hill wood, we have more bat boxes to put up over the coming weeks so more fun with the ropes and trees. The rope access into the trees enables to check out any likely bat roosts, in our monitoring of the bat populations here at Threave and also to carry out any checks on trees for bat roosts and other wildlife if they require any tree work, this then guides our work and any mitigation we may need to consider as part of any planned works.

It has been interesting over the last week with the sunshine and warm temperatures we had Soprano pipistrelles out catching insects in Threave garden near the countryside centre mid afternoon last week in glourious sunshine with insects abundant in the air. This is a good indication of how our weather has impacted on the bat population this year with cold and wet prolonged periods. We have also had a Soprano pipistrelle bat which required feeding up due to the weather, and this was released successfully.

Osprey Update October

We are very sorry we have not put any news out recently. We have just heard that an Osprey was seen over the weekend, this may well be one our chicks, or simply a bird passing through. The last sighting of our birds together on the nest was Saturday 6th October. What an interesting season it has been this year in lots of different ways. The Dumfries & Galloway Countryside Team would like to thank all our Threave osprey volunteers, and everyone involved with Threave Ospreys especially Ciril Ostroznik and Andy Milligan.

Best Wishes
Karl