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Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society |
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Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society |
First visit into Ashleworth in ‘05. Lots of gear to carry, and water to wade through. The water had dropped enough for us to get across the field after the sluice gate, although it was touch and go for those in less than size 6 wellies! A twelve brick flood for the cognoscenti.
Adhering to the regime for the constant effort recording scheme we met at the end of “dirty lane” at 06.00 hours. This being half an hour before the published time of sunrise on our line of longitude. The Blackbirds were in full song as we left the house, but the suicide squads were not apparent until we reached Ashleworth village, where several blackbirds were “jay walking”. At the parking place we were greeted by Willow Warbler song, shortly followed by a Redstart.
The walk across was tiresome, laden down as we were with poles, thankfully this only has to be done once a year. Some Reed Bunting song and Wren trills were the only sounds above the slosh of welly and wader, until a Curlew called. If there is one sound that evokes thoughts of this place, then it must be the Curlew’s call, coming as it does from across the Ham, and always bringing smile or comment as we hear the first sound. At this point conversation always revolves around length of grass, silage cropping, prospects for breeding success, and decline of numbers of wading birds.
Several Shovelor circled overhead as we put the nets up and the occasional Snipe erupted into the air as we made our way along the damp hedge. One Jack Snipe also leapt from under our feet and silently dropped 50 metres ahead. Each year we hope that some of the Snipe will stay and breed, so that the sound of “drumming” can again be heard here. An early Sedge Warbler was heard in partial song near net 5 and later one was caught in net 2. The lack of flooding this winter has encouraged resident birds to stay along the hedge, and our catch was dominated by Dunnocks, Song Thrushes, Wrens and tits. The only other warbler caught was a Willow Warbler, and two Reed Buntings were also trapped.
The twenty-four birds of 9 species are not a huge catch, but is consistent with the catches of previous years on the first visit. After a winter of working at other sites around the area, it is a real pleasure to get back out on to the Ham in readiness for the forthcoming season. Not a single vehicle was heard this morning, and the sense of wilderness that one feels in this delightful area is part of the pleasure of the visits we make to Ashleworth.
Birds recorded: Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Shovelor, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Curlew, Gt. Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Pheasant, Wren, Robin, Goldcrest, Buzzard, Dunnock, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Crow, and Magpie. Also noted this morning, were a Peacock butterfly, a frog, and the presence of lots of Field Vole holes and runs. The Blackthorn was in flower, and Willow catkins were out.
The first of Mervyn's reports covering the visit on 10th April 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 1st May 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 15th May 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 29th May 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 5th June 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 18th June 2005 can be found here.
The report covering the visit on 26th June 2005 can be found here.
You can also read about the CES programme at Ashleworth in 2004 here.