Ballachurry Reserve, Rushen, IOM.: November 2026

November colours, Ballachurry Reserve.

I have not been able to visit the Reserve for recording purposes for 3 weeks. During that time there has been some very stormy weather and a work party. So I was looking forward to my visit on Wednesday to see what had changed in my absence. The huge pile of woodchip at the entrance hinted at a work party to come ! Then, as I set off along the path, my ears detected loud, rather unusual bird calls. I had my suspicions, having been duped once before by bountiful birdsong at an odd time of year. As I rounded the corner these suspicions were confirmed - a group of ringers were at work and the calls were a tape recording designed to entice passing Redwings! Areas had been cleared at the recent work party to accommodate the mist nests and the ringers had been busy since first light with some success. I am always struck by the gentleness with which licensed ringers handle birds and by how calm the birds are in the hand. It was a privilege to see these birds being ringed during my visit and it was explained to me how the ringers were able to tell how old the birds were by counting certain feathers. My thanks to Chris Sharpe and his co-ringers, Chris and Tracy, for allowing me to watch and take photos of the birds. Here is what I recorded during my visit ( excluding the ringed birds)

Birds:

SC209693 Robin

SC209694 (from or near Hide) 2 x Mallard flying over; Moorhen; Robin; 2 x Goldfinch; Great Tit foraging at ground level; Blackbird; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Water Rail heard.

SC209694 ( elsewhere) 2 x Goldfinch drinking from stream; Robins seen in 2 locations; 2 x Blackbirds eating fallen apples; 2 x Blackbirds seen on direct path to hide.

SC208694 Blackbird flying across the meadow; 3 male blackbirds foraging on the ground; Magpie flying over; Woodpigeon flying over; 2 x Robin; Goldcrest; male Chaffinch.

SC208695 2 x Magpie flying over; Pheasant heard not seen; juvenile Blackbird eating blackberries and foraging on the ground; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Robin; 3 x Goldfinch; Wren.

SC209695 male Chaffinch; Chiffchaff.

Other:

SC208694 large red fungus ( possibly Red lead Roundhead) ; pleated Inkcaps turning to ink; small unidentified fungi along the meadow path.

SC208695 several King Arthur's Cake fungi on storm-felled ash tree; Brown Rollrims still coming through.

SC208694 Shiner Milkcaps still coming through but Coral has gone; unidentified fungi beneath willows.

Storm damage:

A large willow had split near the boardwalk; one of the ashes, long dead through ash Die Back, had toppled; an Oak near the dragonfly pond had lost its crown.

These casualties had clearly been dealt with by the Southern Group Committee and volunteers and were not affecting the paths on the reserve.

storm damage on Oak

the broken branch was nearby

dead ash snapped off but caught by adjoining trees

King Alfred Cakes fungi on fallen Ash tree

Willow split in many places

Blue Tit

juvenile Blackbird eating Blackberry

this one had no ring - the one that got away!

having already eaten its dessert.......

it flew to the ground to forage for its main course!

male Blackbird at the back of the main pond

Chiffchaff ( thanks to Chris Sharpe for confirming ID)

Goldfinches drinking from stream

juvenile Moorhen

Robin contemplating the blackberries

Robin near the boardwalk

Robin on boardwalk handrail

Wren near the Ash walk

Bird Ringing Photos:

mist net in the meadow area

ringers at work, all details carefully logged

one of 7 Blackbirds ringed that morning

sitting calmly in the hand

one of 12 Redwings ringed that morning

the red underwing

such handsome birds

My thanks to Chris Sharpe for sharing this list of birds ringed on Wednesday morning:

11 species, 40 birds:
Redwing 12
Blackbird 7
Long-tailed Tit 8
Chaffinch 4
Robin 2
Dunnock 2
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 1
Goldcrest 1
Wren 1
Blue Tit 1

Fungi