Thursday 7 May 2015

Wyre Forest, Pearl-boarder and a Little Birding


Well managed and well resourced nature reserves are really important. Through the work of volunteers and trained staff they produce a range of habits that encourage a range of rare and wonderful species to flourish. The results in terms of wildlife can be magnificent. Recently we were in the Wyre Forrest, an area managed by the forestry commission. We clearly saw the benefits of wildlife management with the presence of the pearl-boarder fritillary. Such an amazingly beautiful butterfly.

Pearl-boarder Butterfly


Pearl-boarder Butterfly



The Pearl-boarder was once widespread but since the 1970s their numbers have fallen by 60%. It can be seen in areas of woodland that have been cleared or have been coppiced. This is because it requires the plants that grow in such conditions, such as Bugle, Bluebells to provide its food. Then for its larva it will require plants such as Common Dog-Violet and Heath Dog-Violet.

Bugle

Bluebell


Overall I was really impressed with the diversity that I found in the Wyre forest. Along with the Pearl-boarder Butterfly we also saw a good range of birds. The highlights were Wood Warblers, Tree Pipits, Willow Warblers and several Dippers. We had lunch by the Dowles Brook and watched 3 Dippers flying backwards and forwards for well over an hour. Can you grow tired of watching them?

Dipper


Dowles Brook


By contrast Grimley, the area of gravel pits, a few miles north of Worcester where I have my local birding patch, is an area that is not managed at all. Due to it being an old gravel pit, with workings still taking place in the area today, the natural environment has been changed and destroyed by human involvement. Despite this destruction nature has found a way, as it always does. There is now an impressive range of species to be found there. On the recent Birding Spring All-dayer the team at Grimley counted a total of 88 species, my personal count was 71. Not bad for an area where the only human involvement is negative.

Common Sandpiper


Some of the highlights over the last few weeks have been the arrival of Sand Martins, Swifts, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Common Terns and Common Sandpiper's. There are always large numbers of Little Grebes, Gadwall, Teal and Tufted ducks. In addition, there is always the opportunity to catch a migrant passing through such as Yellow Wagtails, Whimbrel, Godwits and Whinchat. All recently been sighted.

Whinchat


Visiting Grimley and seeing areas such as Camp Lane Pits flourish really do show me that nature will always find a way no matter how badly we mess things up. But that does not give us a right to destroy our natural environment. It is vital for our future on the planet and destroying it is not a legacy I am happy leaving.