11th of June: Oystercatchers and Olivers

In May we found an Oystercatcher scrape containing seven eggs, which was predated. Although it is sad to see a nest fail, it is only natural that some will be taken by predators, after all Oystercatchers are predators themselves, feeding on bivalves such as cockles. Most birds will have another attempt if they fail the first time, and this is what has happened to this Oystercatcher nest. In the same scrape another five eggs have appeared over the last few days. The clutch size for an Oystercatcher is two to four eggs, so it seems that, like before, the same two females have both laid in the same scrape. We put a trail camera on this nest and captured the following clip:

The clip shows an incubation changeover, where one adult takes over from the other. However, in this case one bird seems to force the other off the nest. We wondered whether this could be the two females incubating the same nest? Unfortunately it is very hard to know for sure.

For a comparison, this next clip shows a normal changeover between male and female Oystercatchers. This bird seems a lot less reluctant to leave the nest...

Things have slowed down on the migrant bird front. The Pied Flycatcher stayed for two days but has now moved on. This morning 70 Canada Geese flew in off the sea and this afternoon a Grey Heron flew over the beach only to be mobbed by Herring Gulls.

In botanical news, we recently found a new plant for the Point: Cow Parsley.

A couple of weeks ago we had a very special visitor on Blakeney Point. We were thrilled to be visited by Professor Francis Oliver’s grandson, Stephen. Francis Oliver was a botanist from the University College London (UCL) who spent much time studying the vegetation of the Point. Professor Oliver played a big part in the acquisition of the Point in 1912 recognising the need to protect its wildlife and habitats.

Stephen brought a collection of old photographs, letters and documents, some dating as far back as 1910. He also shared with us many of his memories of the Point from the 1950s as well as stories about his grandfather. Among the items Stephen showed us was this pressed plant, which is 99 years old:

Left to right: Matt, myself, Paul, Stephen Oliver, Professor Dawn Oliver (UCL) and Professor Andrew Pomiankowski (Head of Biology at the UCL)

In other news; on our respective days off all three of us went to the Norfolk Broads and all saw Swallowtails. Matt took this photograph at the RSPB's Strumpshaw Fen:

Swallowtails can sometimes be seen at the National Trust's Horsey estate, near Great Yarmouth. It is well worth a visit if you are nearby.

- Ajay

3rd of September: Taming of the Shrew

Whilst loading the trailer on Friday, we discovered this shrew trapped in the tailgate.

Common Shrew (Edward Stubbings)

Later in the day we found a first winter Barred Warbler by the Long Hills. Barred Warblers migrate south from eastern Europe to spend the winter in east Africa. We watched this bird feeding on Elder berries.

Barred Warbler (Joe Cockram)

Over the weekend, the National Trust have had a stall at the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival. This was organised by Horsey and Heigham Holmes warden Steve Prowse who wrote the following report:

"On Saturday around 1,500 people visited our stand (it felt like more). Badge making and the ‘things we found on the Beach’ quiz were extremely popular and we were packed out all day. Sunday had 50 people visit our stand within 10 minutes of the event opening and it continued like that for much of the day. Around 1,300 visited our stand.

Overall we made around 600 badges and had very little in the way of literature to take back to Blakeney. We were very well received and had plenty of positive engagement over the two days. As a measure of our popularity we have been invited back next year and offered a bigger marquee.

Praise must go to Eddie and Ajay for their enthusiastic help over the weekend, they were superb ambassadors for the Trust and really made it a success."

Steve at the Maritime Festival (Edward Stubbings)

Today, around midday, there was a large movement of Common Buzzards flying west. From the Lifeboat House, we counted over 30 buzzards flying over the Point, harbour and edge of the mainland. It is a rare sight to see so many buzzards flying together in Norfolk

Our low tide seal counts, on the West Sands, have continued to increase throughout August. With Common Seal numbers almost up to 400 at the end of the month and over 900 Greys. A number of unwell Common Seal pups have been seen along the beach over the last few weeks. Just because a seal pup is on its own and out of the water does not necessarily mean it is unwell, however it is only natural that not all pups will survive. If a seal is seriously injured, we do our best to get it to the RSPCA animal hospital at East Winch.

As the breeding colonies have been vacated, we have removed all of the fencing except for a small area at the very tip of the Point, which remains protected all year. Following the end of the breeding season, in the middle of August, dogs are welcome on the reserve once again. We do ask that they are kept under close control, as juvenile and migrant birds are vulnerable to disturbance and all birds need space to feed in peace.

As autumn begins, we look forward to the arrival of our wintering wildfowl. The first flocks of Wigeon and Teal have already been seen out to sea.

 

Sunset, Morston Quay (Ajay Tegala) 

- Eddie and Ajay

Fancy a wild weekend on the Norfolk Broads?

The remote island of Heigham Holmes, in the Norfolk Broads is gearing up for a wild weekend as it opens in a once-a-year chance to explore this hidden haven.

Visiting an island is an adventure in itself, but to have a go at snail racing or pond dipping and the chance to discover creatures of the night on a twilight walk – it’s a great way of getting more families enjoying the great outdoors and closer to nature.

This year marks 25 years of the Island being in the care of the National Trust and within that time, with the help of the tenant farmer, improved management has and meant wildlife is now thriving in this small corner of Norfolk. Marsh harriers, barn owls, bittern and crane all inhabit the reserve, along with wading birds such as lapwing and redshank. Look out for butterflies and dragonflies on your visit.

So, why not walk on the wild side on Saturday 18 August and discover more? There will be the rare chance to go off the beaten track with the Warden on a specially organised walk looking for wildlife (10.30am and 12.30pm). Alternatively, there’s the rare chance to visit in the twilight hours (8pm – 10.30pm) and enjoy a night time walk in search of owls, moths, bats and other creatures. You’ll love the antics of the barn owls on 'Barn Owl Cam'.

Then on Sunday 19 August, between 10am to 4.30pm, visit this wonderful nature reserve at your own pace. Come and learn about its special history and its importance for wildlife in the Broads. Activities include face painting, pond dipping and other children's activities including highly dramatic snail racing (2.30pm), a self guided trail, and much more!

Steve Prowse the Warden for Heigham; “We all know the importance of getting our families out and about into the fresh air, experiencing the outdoors and creating memories that will last a lifetime. So we’ve arranged a whole host of activities to engage with our younger visitors, many of which are on the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ list. It’s a popular day out and we’re really looking forward to welcoming more families to the reserve this year.”

Light refreshments available. Access is via a swing bridge at Martham Ferry (TG 445 194). Dogs welcome on a lead please. Car parking sign posted off Ferrygate Lane, Black Street, Martham.

If you would like to book for one of the guided walks on Saturday 18 August, please e-mail heigham.holmes@nationaltrust.org.uk<mailto:heigham.holmes@nationaltrust.org.uk> or call 01493393450
Adults £5, children £2

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For further press information please contact Jemma Finch on 01284 747571, or e-mail jemma.finch@nationaltrust.org.uk<mailto:jemma.finch@nationaltrust.org.uk>

Notes to Editor:

1.  The Heigham Holmes Open Day is organised by the National Trust in partnership with the Broads Authority.
2.  The National Trust acquired Heigham Holmes in 1987, with grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, World Wide Fund for Nature and the Natural England.
3.  The National Trust, working with its tenant farmer, has successfully restored intensively managed farmland back to grassland. Water levels have been re-instated; new dykes have been created, as have pools and shallow foot drains – creating an internationally important wetland.