News from Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve 2022 Click on pic to enlarge
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28th - 30th January 2022 The Big Garden Birdwatch
Quite a number of the Friends of Pickerings Pasture will be taking part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch both here at Pickerings Pasture Local Nature Reserve and at home (and this year even in the Isle of Man!) Our birds are still at risk with many recently common birds now on lists for Endangered or At Risk. Shockingly, we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years, so it really is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife. How to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch Taking part is as easy as 1,2,3 1. Watch the birds around you for one hour 2. Count how many of each species of bird lands on your patch 3. Go online and tell us what you saw Please check the local Covid guidance for the latest information as guidelines are subject to change. Enjoy your birdwatch and please take part safely. For further information visit The Big Garden Birdwatch> |
Long-tailed tits on the table
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19th Jan 22
The Halton men were at work again, but in conversation with them they have assured us that all the bird boxes that have been destroyed will be replaced. We have a map of all our boxes, so we will be able to assist. At the hide we were delighted to see the long-tailed tits on the bird table: they are regular on the feeders but this seems to be a new venue for them. The kingfisher was busy trying out its new post together with some of the others. The new post gives better photo opportunities. Halton Borough Council had promised to clear some vegetation for us from in front of the hide in the late Summer but sadly we are still waiting ! As the tide made it way in a green sandpiper arrived and started feeding in its favourite haunt around the reed bed. |
Green sandpiper.
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Removing the bog garden.
The blue tit's nest.
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17th Jan 22
There was a good turn out for our first work day of the year, with thirteen members attending. Gary outlined the jobs that needed doing and the groups went off to work. Laura, Gary and Katy worked in the garden: it had been decided to get rid of the boggy area as it has proved impossible to keep it damp enough during the hottest part of the summer. It meant a lot of digging out and the mint proved especially difficult to clear with its never-ending root system.Jen and Carol went down to the United Utilities path and tackled the old plastic tree guards that were originally put around the trees to protect them from rabbits. It was surprisingly hard work being bent double most of the time and negotiating the dead branches underfoot was troublesome! Some largish branches had obvious been brought down in the recent storms. Rob C, Paul and Eric put up five new tit boxes, a starling box, four robin boxes and cleared out several of the older nest boxes. A squirrel's drey was removed from the owl box, so finger's crossed for better luck this season. The nest from the tit box in the garden was removed and although mainly made from moss, dog hairs had been used to line it. Dave, Rob O, Dave and Maurice remained near the Visitors Centre. The buddleias and other shrubs on the main drive were cut back, the willow arch was replanted and the area generally cleaned up to show the snowdrops and other bulbs in their full glory. Rob O also made several new habitat piles in the woodland areas. Vera and Malcolm had coffee and cake (provided by Paul) ready for us when we returned to base. Quite a number of people thanked members today, which is lovely. Someone also dropped off some boxes of bird food and squirrel food for us to use around the site. A huge thank you. Our next work party will be on Monday 14th February at 10am. |
12th Jan 22
Noticed that the men from Halton Borough Council were out again, this time in the second block of woodland. Although the woodlands do need some attention I must admit it does upset me (and a lot of other people) to see the wholesale destruction of the undergrowth. Watching programmes like Countryfile they often mention that our insects etc are suffering because deer are rooting out the undergrowth - and here we are doing the same thing in woodland were there are no such problems. Surely on a Nature Reserve they should do what is best for nature?? Just a personal view...
On the up side the songbirds were very busy in the low sunlight; cheering us with their songs. The Song Thrushes were the most prominent with their repeated phrases. Other birds were still in flocks: at least eight long-tailed tits were foraging with one flock and another flock contained a goldcrest and a chiffchaff. Adding colour to the proceedings was the male bullfinch, the female is drabber. Filling the small feeders is always fun: as usual the blue and great tits were beaten to first in line by the robin.
Noticed that the men from Halton Borough Council were out again, this time in the second block of woodland. Although the woodlands do need some attention I must admit it does upset me (and a lot of other people) to see the wholesale destruction of the undergrowth. Watching programmes like Countryfile they often mention that our insects etc are suffering because deer are rooting out the undergrowth - and here we are doing the same thing in woodland were there are no such problems. Surely on a Nature Reserve they should do what is best for nature?? Just a personal view...
On the up side the songbirds were very busy in the low sunlight; cheering us with their songs. The Song Thrushes were the most prominent with their repeated phrases. Other birds were still in flocks: at least eight long-tailed tits were foraging with one flock and another flock contained a goldcrest and a chiffchaff. Adding colour to the proceedings was the male bullfinch, the female is drabber. Filling the small feeders is always fun: as usual the blue and great tits were beaten to first in line by the robin.
