Ballachurry Reserve, Rushen, IOM.: Ballachurry Reserve, 1st March 2022.

First of March, Ballachurry Wetlands Reserve

The first of March was a beautiful spring day with clear blue skies and sunshine that had some real warmth. I set off for the Reserve hoping to see not just birds, but maybe some insects too. I was not disappointed! Here is what I recorded during the morning:

Birds:

SC210694 5 x Blackbirds taking berries from the ivy ( 3 females, 2 males); Rook and Hooded Crow on roof of Old School House next door. Robin heard not seen;

SC209693 Heron flying over; 2 male Chaffinch together

SC208694 2 x Robin together near the compost heap; 1 Robin near the wonky bridge; 2 x Blue Tit near the compost heap; singleton Blue Tit near the wonky bridge. Goldcrest on compost heap; Wren on compost heap

SC208695 Great Tit; 2 x Blue Tit flying over; 2 Buzzard overhead.

SC209695 male Chaffinch

SC209694 Dunnock; Wren; Chaffinch heard not seen; male Blackbird; 3 x Mallard flying over; Magpie; Buzzard circling over pond area.

Ladybirds:

4 x 7-spot Ladybird ( all in separate gorse bushes along gorse boundary)

Other:

5 x Gorse Shieldbug in gorse bushes along the boundary

SC208694 Honey bee in gorse

SC209694 Honey bees in gorse

SC209693 unidentified Bumble Bee flying

SC209694 Lesser Celandines and one small Hogweed in flower.

SC209693 and elsewhere, Blackthorn blossom.

SC209694 fresh frogspawn visible towards the back of the pond.

there are 3 Blackbirds in this photo!

Ivy berries are a lifeline for many birds during the winter

there were no less than 5 plundering this ivy hedge

a tasty meal

a young male on the wall

now which one shall I take?

Nectar for insects in summer, fruit for birds in winter, shelter and nest sites - ivy is a truly wonderful wildlife plant.

Chaffinch enjoying the sunshine

Goldcrest looking for insects

Hooded Crow

Robin also looking for insects

Rook

the Rook and the Hoodie flew off together and landed in the churchyard trees

spot the Robin!

a busy Wren also searching for insects

the compost heap is a great source of food for the smaller birds

I had just decided to go home when this beauty arrived on the scene! It appeared to be hunting over the pond area and eventually circled off over the Church. I decided to stay a little longer!

Buzzard

the sun was shining through its wings

this is a composite photo of the same Buzzard

When I reached the grassy area near the private entrance to the reserve I stopped to chat with another birder who had also seen the Buzzard and taken an excellent photo with a long lens. Suddenly a dot appeared in the sky and a swift check with binoculars showed that the buzzard was back. Then a second one appeared! We were hoping they might come closer but they soon disappeared out of sight behind the trees.

just a dot in the sky

then 2

a brief circle above the reserve

then it vanished behind the trees

usual view of the hide

gorse making a bright splash

the remains of a frosty night

Hemlock Water Dropwort leaves with a frosty edging

cultivated Daffodils

signs of spring

two seasons - some trees bare, others in leaf

a beautiful spring day

not a cloud to be seen

the sunshine brought out some 7-spot Ladybirds from hibernation

they like the sun on their backs too!

I almost missed this one - still a bit drowsy

I always look for Ladybirds in gorse bushes on sunny days

The Blackthorn blossom is later this year

I checked back through this Blog - usually in full bloom by now

on the other hand this Hogweed is early!

a bank of Celandines

once they have flowered they vanish without trace for most of the year

the Gorse Shieldbugs were also enjoying the sunshine

nearly every gorse bush along the boundary had one

honey bees out collecting nectar too

just look at those pollen sacks!

Hemlock Water Dropwort growing apace now

these are the willows that volunteers pollarded on Saturday

glad I'm down on the ground with the pussy willows rather than cooped up on that plane!

I had to look for frogspawn with binoculars first!

Indefatigable volunteer, Ian, soldiers on whenever the weather permits

the new boardwalk will be raised up above the water level

so needs some firm foundations - the weather is not cooperating


This will become a regular photo to track progress of our pond.

My extra circuit made me late for lunch but it was worth it just to see those Buzzards!

INCIDENTAL REPORT, 3RD MARCH.

I called in the Reserve again on Thursday to leave a few buckets of hardcore for Ian to use. The difference in water level since Tuesday, after overnight rain, was quite incredible. I even put up 3 Mallard ducks as I turned the corner - they had been enjoying the new "lake".