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.
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| Pearl-boarder Butterfly |
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| 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.
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| Bugle |
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| 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?
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| Dipper |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
