By Richard King
Introduction
This is my sixth consecutive breeding report for Ladywalk and as the years progress it is easier to see patterns of birds’ presence and breeding, with the counts (Appendix One) being particularly useful. I have continued to split the reserve into 12 transects and my methodology was again to list all birds in each transect by sound or sight on each visit. The reporting details that follow are largely from my notes, plus information from other sources such as regular users of the reserve using the reserve’s Whats App and Twitter accounts. We have been again provided with much information from the ringers, notably about the success or otherwise of tits and other species in the nestboxes. I am sure that there are other peoples’ breeding records that can enhance this report. If so please forward them to me via Richardking54@gmail.com.
The vast majority of the information in this report relates to the Ladywalk reserve, accessible to members through the locked gate via a coded padlock. Whilst the Bourne and Blythe Meadows are regularly observed and reported on by Ladywalk visitors, and some tree planting and working on drains to flood the area has been done, they are not included in this report. It would add much to our local knowledge if another volunteer came forward to survey and record the breeding activity in this area.
The transects on the reserve remain the same as previous years and are as follows –
Transect 1 – from car park to the double gates, technically not part of the reserve but treated as the reserve in this report.
Transect 2 – from double gates to Hide A.
Transect 3 – at Hide A
Transect 4 – from Hide A to Rudd Hide *
Transect 5 – at Rudd Hide
Transect 6 – from Rudd Hide to Riverwalk Hide*
Transect 7 – at Riverwalk Hide
Transect 8 – from Riverwalk Hide to Bittern Hide*
Transect 9 – at Bittern Hide
Transect 10 – from Bittern Hide to B Hide*
Transect 11 – at B Hide
Transect 12 – from B Hide to Lock Up inc. the fishing pools*
*Or vice versa
The full visits were normally between approx. 8am and early afternoon and were dated –
6 April 25 May
13 April 8June
23 April 17June
30 April 3 July
4 May 9 July
14 May 27 July
19 May 12 August
Weather
In 2021 with one exception we escaped serious flooding on the reserve. After several days of rain the 25th May saw flooding which seriously affected the sand martin nests and we experimented with a tape lure which attracted birds to the artificial sand martin bank adjacent to their nests near Rudd Hide. The rainfall on the above date contributed to May being the wettest month in this breeding season. Sand martins were affected by these floods but there was little evidence at this time of other breeding species being affected.
April in contrast was one of the driest on record but also very cool with overnight frosts, indeed it was the “frostiest” April for 60 years. It is thought that the low temperatures affected breeding success. For example tits hatched in mid / late May but food for the nestlings was hard to come by as the caterpillars had not hatched due to the cold, so nestlings starved.
June saw some hot and humid weather initially but there were longer outbreaks of rain towards the end of the month. The path at the north end of the reserve was barely passable and flooding at B Pools resulted in some wader chicks drowning, notably the two little ringed plover chicks. July was wetter with rainfall higher than average during this month, with some heavy showers but there was no serious flooding on the reserve. Temperatures were near to 30 degrees on occasions. In contrast rainfall in August was the second lowest over the five months covered by this report.
A detailed summary for the 2021 breeding season
Canada Goose: During April nests were being seen across the reserve including possibly on a raft on B Pool. Interestingly three eggs were found on one of the rafts when it was being cleared in October. The first broods were recorded on 12 May when three sets of goslings were on the reserve (CW). On 19 May these were probably included in the broods of six and five goslings at B Pool, and on the 25 May there were two broods of five on the same pool. On 17 June there was a brood of eight on the path between Bittern and B Hide, a brood of seven at B Pool and six on the river.
On the basis of this information there were about five broods on the reserve, a similar number to 2020.
Grey Lag Goose: These were rarely seen during the breeding season on the reserve.
As usual there was a large post-breeding flock on the reserve, probably originating from Marsh Lane where large numbers breed.
Mute Swan: One pair successfully bred on New Bay and on 8 June parents and five cygnets were first seen and remained. They also bred elsewhere on the reserve with 2+7 seen on 14 May, and on subsequent dates, from Riverwalk Hide. It is clear that there were two broods originating on the reserve this year.
Egyptian Goose: These birds (a pair) were at A pool on 14 May and were occasionally seen on other dates. They are non breeders here but as they breed elsewhere in the Tame Valley it is likely that similar will happen here.
Shelduck: As in previous years a pair was present at both pools on dates in April, May and June. However they had disappeared by mid June. It is possible that they attempted to breed but were flooded out but there is no specific evidence to back this up.
Shoveler: Pairs were present throughout April and into May but not recorded on my visits beyond 17 June. They have successfully bred here in the past but no evidence of breeding this year. They may have been flooded out.
Gadwall: Pairs were present throughout the season on the pools, including the Angling Pool on 4 May, and river. The first brood of ten ducklings or more on the reserve were seen on 7 June (PS) and there was a brood of this size on the river the following day. On 17 June when a brood of nine small ducklings were seen on B Pool, matched by another brood also with nine ducklings. On the following day there were reports from Main Pool of broods of eight, six and three. On 3 July there were broods of six and seven seen from Bittern Hide and there were a number of larger ducklings at the same location. Also at B Pool PS reported broods of nine and six at B Pools on 12 July.
On the basis of this number of broods and the dates it is likely that there were 7-10 broods this year which is more than last year.
Mallard: Continues to breed in good numbers and the first report of ducklings was on 1 April from PL with a family of six ducklings at New Bay. The same brood or another was reported two days later and on 9 April when there was a brood of ten at New Bay which attracted the attention of a sparrowhawk. Shortly afterwards on 13 April there was an adult with three small ducklings on the river and ten days later at the same location there were broods of six small ducklings and one adult with four youngsters. Possibly this same brood was seen here on 30 April. On 17 May there was a brood of seven large ducklings on the path and this stretch of river held a pair with eight small ducklings on 8 June.
Families and nests are widespread across the reserve. For example the river beside the entrance track (T1) held a pair with two medium sized ducklings on 19 May and on 8 June there were three broods here of two, four, five. Adults were regularly seen in the ditch that is the length of the boundary beside Sainsburys and a pair nested in an adjacent owl box.
The river between Rudd and Riverwalk Hides had the following broods –
1+6 medium sized on 4 May
1+4 large ones on 14 May
1+3 small ones on 19 May
1+5 small ducklings on 1 July and possibly this same brood was seen on 9 July
1+2 medium sized ducklings on 12 August
This list highlights that ducklings are rarely seen on the pools, with broods presumably feeling safer on the river where it is easier to be obscured from predators. This also applies to the more secluded angling pools, where there was a brood of at least four ducklings on 19 May. I also encountered a mallard’s clutch of eggs on the path beside the pool on 25 May but by the following visit all that was left were egg shells.
Teal: Small numbers were present through the summer but as usual there was no sign of breeding.
Tufted Duck: Pairs were regular on the reserve pools and river throughout the spring and summer. In 2020 I reported that the first brood was reported on the early date for this species of 24 June whilst this year the first brood of three was reported from Angling Pools on 12 July and in August broods were reported on several dates including broods of eight and nine being photographed.
Broods were also reported on 27 July (1+3) from B Pool, where there was a brood of seven on 12 August and the following day two more (8 and 9). On 20 August on the river seven small ducklings were seen, and on the same date there was a brood of six large ducklings, also on the river by the copse.
These records suggest that there were at least six broods produced on the reserve, probably more than in 2020 and considerably better than in the period 2015-19.
Goosander: this is a well reported species, that has increased in breeding numbers over recent years. The ringers recorded three occupied nestboxes during their visits in April. Broods are regularly if not exclusively reported on the river and the numbers quoted probably account for nests between Water Orton and the reserve. By 30 April six broods were being reported and in mid May PS was reporting eight broods totalling approx. 70 ducklings.
More specific records include five ducklings on the river on 26 April and four days later there were 1+3 also on the river. There were ten ducklings on 8 May on the river and a week later 17 were on the Blythe (PF) and on the theme of large broods there were 15 large ducklings on the Tame island.
Common Pheasant: Regular on the reserve particularly under the feeders but my visits yielded no sightings of families or juveniles. A number of predated eggs were located by the angling pools. It is therefore pleasing to record CW’s sighting of pheasant chicks near to Bittern Hide on 24 June.
Little Grebe: This species was rarely seen on Rudd Pool despite its comparative seclusion but there was a family present with up to four young on dates at the end of July (WT). Birds were more regular at Main and B Pools. At the latter on 13 April there appeared to be three pairs and there was a pair there on 4 May. A juvenile was reported by CW on 17 June and there were reports of a fledged bird in late June / early July, possibly the same one. On 23 July PL reported a brood here and four days later 1+1 were present and possibly another brood was also heard.
The angling pools appear to be the best location for breeding related activity for this species where PS reported a brood of three on 12 Jul. A brood was reported on 27 July and I saw adult sized young on 12 August and I suspect that all these records relate to one family.
It is difficult to estimate how many pairs nested this year, and how many birds fledged and on the basis of the above figures I suggest four to six broods.
Great Crested Grebe: Birds were present throughout the survey on both pools. On 4 May one was showing interest in a coot’s nest although they nested on an island where three young had hatched by 17 May. It is likely that two pairs nested on Main Pool as another nest was identified on 19 May with two eggs (PL) with a bird sitting on the nest on 8 June, suggesting that two pairs attempted to nest here.
On B Pool there was a pair demonstrating courtship on 6 April with a nest in reeds seen from 23 April which produced three young birds, seen on a parent’s back on 17 May. These three were seen for several weeks but by 17 June there were two young that fledged.
Bittern: with two pairs successfully breeding at RSPB Middleton there is a need to be aware that birds may spread to other reedbeds in the Tame Valley. In 2021 there were no positive reports about birds booming on the reserve but there is a need for visitors to the reserve to be alert to this possibility.
Cormorant: nested in the same location as in recent years and during my visits I made regular counts from Hide A concluding that there were approx. 31 nests this year. My counts were much higher than last year when there appeared to be 21 nests. By mid May many of the nests held nestlings that eventually found their way to the main pool. There seem to juveniles constantly in nests, suggesting that they are two brooded.
Grey Heron: as the summer progressed juveniles were seen on the reserve from one or two local heronries as was the case in previous years.
Little Egret: this species was regularly seen across the reserve and river but there was no evidence of breeding or roosting. There appeared to be no interest in the cormorant colony.
Sparrowhawk: as referred to earlier, one was seen to attempt to take a mallard duckling at New Bay.This species has bred during the last three years near to the lock upand I saw a bird and heard one here on 30 April. I also heard feint calls, probably this species, on 8 June. A juvenile was seen in the same area on 14 June and on 17 June calls were heard, presumably from the nest.
Buzzard: this species is regularly over and heard off the reserve but again there is no evidence of breeding which considering the size of the reserve and its trees is again disappointing.
Water Rail: the area in front of B Hide is the favoured breeding ground for this species and I saw one here on 6 April and heard one on 8 June. The evidence of successful breeding by this elusive bird was an adult with at least two young on 8 June (PS) and the same observer sighted a second brood with two small ones at the same location on 22 June. With up to ten birds heard on visits to the reserve in autumn 2021 it is likely that other pairs bred elsewhere in the reedbeds making this a successful breeding season.
Moorhen: this species is a regular breeder across the reserve, starting with Keyhole Scrape. On 23 April there were two small young birds which were regularly seen into May. By the 19th there was only one juvenile and this survived. This scrape’s position beside a well used hide means that it is well watched which meant that a second brood was identified by 17 June when there were two newly hatched young, which became one on 3 July when we had two parents and two differently aged juveniles on the scrape.
Rudd pool had two juveniles present on 12 August and Main Pool held two adults and three small young birds viewable from Riverwalk Hide on 27 July. This became 2+2 by 12 August.
There was evidence of breeding at B Pool as follows –
1+4 in front of B Hide on 25 April
2+1 on 8 June
An adult with a small chick on 30 August.
The angling pools remain a safe place for breeding, with the fallen trees providing ample
nesting sites so no surprise that there were two / three small chicks on 12 August. This area is secluded so I suggest that there was more breeding activity than this.
Despite predation of chicks it appears that 2020 was quite a good year for this species with evidence of fledged juveniles in several places..
Coot: the most numerous and easily identified nester on the reserve. This year there was no nesting activity at Keyhole scrape but Rudd Pool held at least two nests. The first was identified on 23 April and on 6 May there were two adults and two young here and at least one bird fledged. There was a further nest viewable in July and in mid August there were juvenile moorhens and coots on the pool.
Main pool records were as follows –
Bird with nesting material on 13 April.
Nests are easy to locate from the elevated status of Riverwalk Hide and the maximum at any time was five on 14 May.
A pair and three young on 25 May and 2+3 on 8 June.
Two broods, one of three young, the second of one on 17 June.
A fully fledged juvenile was with its parents on 3 July and six days later there were three
juveniles of the same size, seemingly the survivors of three broods.
At B Pool up to three nests were seen from Bittern Hide and on 19 May two small juveniles were sighted. On 25 May 1+3 small young were seen, on 8 June there were broods of two and five and on 3 July there were two juveniles of contrasting ages.
Nests were also seen from B Hide and on 17 June four broods were counted (4,1,2,2).
Finally, this species successfully bred at the angling pools, the evidence being adults and a hidden brood there on 17 June. It is likely that there was more breeding activity than this.
In conclusion whilst a lot of nests have been recorded it again appears that a significant proportion of the young birds seen were predated. It would be useful to have any records of this in the future.
Oyster Catcher: again regular on the reserve and again did not successfully breed. A pair nested on the usual island on Main Pool, being sighted on the nest on 6 & 23 April. After this date they appear to have deserted the nest although one or two birds were present in May and June. The nest was very close to a Canada Goose’s nest and their presence may have contributed to the desertion.
Lapwing: in 2020 it was estimated that there were two broods from which birds fledged which was the best return for several years. 2021 surpassed this!
On 23 April PS was reporting two nests on the marsh opposite Riverwalk Hide. These nests were again seen on 4 May and by ten days later there were up to four chicks in this area. Chicks were not always easy to see from Riverwalk Hide, due to the long grass rather than predation, as PS was reporting six chicks from two broods here on 18 June.
B Pool did better, a reflection of the earthworks that created new scrapes in 2019. On 6 April a nest was seen from B Hide and on 23 April there were five nests in the area of B Hide and this species progress at B Pool is as follows –
Three lapwing chicks in front of Hide B on 4 May.
1+2 by Hide B on 14 May. In this area three chicks were seen swimming to higher ground when water levels were high.
A pair on the scrape hatched four by 17 May.
6 chicks from two broods seen 19 May.
On 24 May PS reported four broods at B ((4,3,3,2), with another trio of chicks at Main Pool. He reported that seven broods had hatched by 12 June.
15 lapwing chicks were counted on 17 June and many of these survived.
This was probably the best year for breeding lapwings at this reserve. It was significant that predation levels were low and it is thought that this was due to the numerical presence of this species, and common terns as well, dealing with threats such as from crows and lesser black backed gulls. There was very little presence of the latter species this year.
Little Ringed Plover: this species was present throughout the breeding season at both pools, particularly B Pool where there were up to six during April and May. They nested on B scrape with a nest seen on 25 May when there was also a family of 1+2 reported by PS who also sighted 1+2 on 18 June. Additionally he reported three newly hatched chicks here on 7 June, with two chicks seen the following day (CW). Sadly none of these young birds survived a flood on 28 June and whilst later in the summer young birds were observed on the reserve they originated elsewhere.
This is the second consecutive year that chicks have hatched and then been flooded out which has led to reserve management looking to seek quotations for sluices and similar to be installed on the reserve.
Redshank: birds were regular on the reserve during |April and May with a pair seen mating from B Hide by GA on 13 April. There were also two mating on 30 April and birds were subsequently frequenting an area of thick grass by B Pool. It was thought that there were two pairs nesting here and on 17 June I saw four birds mobbing a heron which suggested the presence of chicks. PS reported one chick, “the first to have hatched on the reserve for decades”, and ten adults on the following day. However during the flood of 28 June one young bird was seen to swim to safety across B Pool and this bird progressed to fledge. This was probably the juvenile seen from Riverwalk Hide on 9 July.
It is not known how many birds hatched, and were predated or flooded out but this first breeding success for this species at Ladywalk confirmed the success of the work to create the B Pool scrapes several years ago. .
Black-headed Gull: this species is ever present on the reserve and river and we seem to be nearer this bird breeding on the reserve. To evidence this a pair took up residence on a raft during April, and were seen to mate on the 23rd and remained in residence throughout the summer. They did not breed there, neither did the three pairs recorded by PS elsewhere on B Pool on 18 June. It is possible that they were put off by the presence of the lapwings. On 3 July there were young birds on the reserve, and likewise on subsequent dates, but these were not reared on the reserve. Possibly in 2022?
Common Tern: after a three year absence this species bred again on a raft on B Pool. A pair was on a raft by 14 May, with two pairs on the two rafts five days later. The successful nest was on the raft nearest B Hide with three young there on 21 June (CW) but by 1 July there were two chicks (PL). On 13 July these were being fed away from their nest which confirmed their success.
Feral Pigeon: are regular on the reserve but there was no information as to whether they used any of our nestboxes this year. They nest locally on man made structures such as Whitacre waterworks and the bridges over the Tame.
Stock Dove: Numbers appear stable on the reserve with the line of poplars on the Sainsburys side of the reserve being the main nest site and the marsh being a regular feeding site. Their normal nest site is a hole, such as in the aforementioned poplars, but they also continue to use the owl boxes on the reserve. The ringers inspected the boxes on several occasions, ringing five pullus in three boxes, with reports of two other nestboxes being used. It would be interesting to know how many birds nest in natural holes in addition to the reserve nestboxes and I would estimate that there are approx. eight pairs on the reserve.
Wood Pigeon: As usual this species was constantly on the reserve, where it is sure to have bred in several locations. No nests or young were seen / reported but nos. appear to be stable.
Cuckoo: This species appeared more numerous on the reserve in 2021 with the maximum reported being six including two females on 31 May by PS. The first bird calling was on 30 April and on most of my visits there were at least three calling on or near the reserve. On 8 June I saw a female and heard two males and I estimated that four birds were present, but other birders thought that the maximum was six in June. This year birds also appeared to be calling later in the summer than previous years, with a female’s call heard on 3 July and six days later a male and female were encountered.
There were several reports of at least three young birds with BE reporting a juvenile flying from the reeds by Hide B on 19 July. There were sightings and photos of reed warblers having to cope with the demands for food from their “foster bird”.
Barn Owl: this species is doing well in Warwickshire through the regular use of owl boxes with several pairs known about in the Tame Valley. Ladywalk assisted this due to a nestbox beside the Tame being used, resulting in three young. At a second box the remains of a dead young bird were found on 4 June, that box having been taken over by Stock Dove.
Tawny Owl: these have been regularly reported during autumn 2021 in the woodyard area . However there were none encountered by me, and no reports of birds throughout the survey period. It would be unusual if they did not breed on the reserve.
Kingfisher: was harder to come by in 2021 than in previous years. On 17 June there was a noisy bird below the riverbank between Riverwalk and Bittern Hides, which is where they nested in 2020. Single birds were also in this area on 3 July and 20 August so whilst there was no specific evidence of breeding here it is most likely.
I heard a bird at the river by Rudd Hide on 9 July but compared with what I recorded in 2020 sightings were sparse and I believe that one pair bred in or on the reserve, down from two last year.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: I did not see or hear this species on or near the reserve this year. There was speculation that two pairs may have bred, such as in the poplars on the reserve and in the area of Whitacre reserve.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: these are regular across the reserve, but possibly a slight decline compared with 2020. A nest was located in a poplar in transect 10. Young were heard calling from this on 24 May and GA saw them leaving the nest a few days later. Elsewhere on the reserve, on 25 May the ringers reported a nest in the ringing area. Young were heard in a nest in T12 near to the hellebores on 17 June, and were still in the nest at the month’s end.
As usual juveniles turned up at the Hide A feeders, the first being fed by an adult on 17 June, the precursor for many reports including two juvs. on 27 July (PL).
I suspect that there were probably about six nests again in 2021.
Green Woodpecker: Ladywalk does not provide the ideal habitat for this species. They are more likely to be encountered at the north end of the reserve (T10) due to the meadowland over the river, and in similar habitat of the Bourne Meadows over Fishery Lane. On the reserve, similar to the stock doves and other woodpeckers, they are likely to be near the poplars. They were heard or seen near them on 8 & 17 June, and two were encountered near the reserve entrance on 29 July.
I had more encounters in 2021 than the previous year but the only information about successful breeding was a report on What’s App of three young in the bramble patch near to the aforementioned meadows.
Kestrel: rare on the reserve and most likely to be seen near or over the river such as on 1 July when one was near to the copse. Further downstream one was being mobbed by a crow near Bittern Hide on 13 April. Of greater interest was one sitting on the nestbox by the river near to the sluice on 23 April. This appeared to be a suitable nest site but by 14 May it had deserted and replaced by goosander.
Not covered by the report, one was also regularly seen on the wires by the Bourne meadow so whilst it is clear that there was no evidence of breeding on or near to the reserve one or two pairs nested over the river, at the latter location and at the north end of the reserve.
Hobby: this species was not encountered by me during any of my breeding season visits to Ladywalk and this year after the breeding season there appeared to be less visits to hunt dragonflies or martins. It is hoped that they bred reasonably near to the reserve but there were less reports of juveniles on the reserve.
Peregrine Falcon: as in previous years birds were reported from Hams Hall Distribution Park and the reserve. On 9 July up to two juveniles were present and it is assumed that they were reared on one of the warehouses or factories.
Jay: this species continues to breed at Ladywalk but possibly in smaller nos. Family groups and juveniles were sighted, such as a report from PS that he had 1+3 on the reserve on 25 June. There were two juveniles at transect 8 on 3 July and six days later there was a family party at T12. This is the angling pools area and was the transect where they were most often seen, such as on 13 April when there were four together.
It is possible that on these figures there may have been two or three breeding pairs on the reserve.
Magpie: regular across the reserve and its presence is prob. taken for granted by visitors. They bred, for example a bird was at its nest just off the reserve, above the public footpath between the car park and entrance gate (T1).
Jackdaw: again this year, birds were regularly seen from Rudd & Riverwalk Hides on the marsh (eg eight there on 6 April) and often seen flying from the trees behind the cormorant colony. They probably bred here and a bit of exploration is needed to check this.
Carrion Crow: regular across the reserve and whilst there were no specific reports about breeding this must have occurred. I noted a pair at T4 on 6 April and there was a likely nest in a poplar over the path on T12, recorded on 17 June. This is close to a successful nest in 2020 when I estimated 4-6 breeding pairs across the reserve. It would
be useful if we had more firm evidence of this species breeding on the reserve.
Raven: arare visitor to the reserve, I only encountered one at T10 on 13 April. They would have bred locally I have no evidence that they bred on the reserve or the adjacent meadows.
Coal Tit: I heard one on both 6 April and 23rd at T2 and PS reported a family not far away, behind Hide A on 25 June.
The other stronghold for this species on the reserve in 2021 was T12 with birds heard three times in April, and twice in May.
It is possible that two pairs maximum nested on the reserve.
Marsh Tit: I had no evidence nor reports of this species on the reserve in 2021 so it is possible that they no longer breed here.
Willow Tit: much work is being done to encourage this declining bird on the reserve but unfortunately there was no clear evidence of successful breeding this year.(http://www.tamevalleywetlands.co.uk/willow-tit-project/)
Birds were heard calling and seen in spring on many occasions, with Transects 8 and 12 being the most regular locations in my experience. At the former (behind Riverwalk Hide) I saw a bird with nesting material on 1 May and that appears about as far as the records went about breeding this year.
Blue Tit: There were reports from the ringers about their nestbox monitoring and ringing on the reserve this year for this species and those last year: see the ringers’ returns below.
Blue Tit, 2021 2020
Number ringed: 87 108
Number of nests: 14 16
Average: 6.21 6.75 nestlings per box
These results were a little disappointing and will reflect the cold spring. Additionally there were a further eight nests that had been abandoned for various reasons, this number is higher than in 2020 (five).
From my observations for blue tit, the first family I saw out of the nest was on 25 May which seemed early. It is interesting to note that whilst the sand martin “bank” (smb) was not inhabited by sand martins, tits were seen entering the holes on several occasions during April. There were possibly two holes being used on 23 April but the outcome of any breeding is not known.
Great Tit:
The nestbox records for this species are as follows –
Great Tit, 2021 2019
Number ringed: 65 55
Number of nests: 11 10
Average: 5.9 5.5 nestlings per box
During my visits I saw more great tits at nestboxes than blue and the first family was sighted on 8 June.
Sand Martin: this species was first recorded on 6 April in the main breeding area by Rudd Hide when about 20 were present. They were regular in this area throughout April but on 4 May they appeared to have been flooded out and then kept a low profile here over the next few weeks. On 25 May we ran a tape of sand martin calls from the smb and there was an immediate response with birds circling the box, holding on the its face and briefly entering the holes. This has led to a decision to run the tape throughout the 2022 breeding season in an attempt to tempt them away from the adjacent riverbank.
Birds then attempted to nest again in this area as on 17 June they were gathering nest material from the path.
On the other part of the river where this species nests (T8) on 13 April they were showing interest in part of the bank that is collapsing, perhaps because the riverbank is soft. It is possible that this area was not affected by the higher water levels in May, which as stated at the beginning of this report was the wettest month. Birds that nested in both locations after late May did produce broods.
Swallow: this is an assumed breeder in the stables and associated buildings across the river, which is a good area for young birds to flex their new wings as they fly up and down, as was evident as the breeding season progressed.
House Martin: small nos. of this species over but did not breed at the reserve. This species was congregating with sand martins on 6 May after they had been flooded out two days earlier.
Cetti’s Warbler: this bird continues to increase across the reserve as evidenced by new areas being colonised, such as to the right of the path as we walk down to the reserve gate (T1). On 9 July there were two / three singing birds in the area of Rudd Hide and the most birds heard or seen on one of my visits was 12 on 4 May.
16 new birds were ringed this year inc. 12 juveniles and again I would estimate about ten breeding pairs on the reserve..
Long-tailed Tit: is regular and widespread on the reserve and there were a number of reports of family groups. There was early nesting activity in the bush below Hide A, which interested the photographers but it is possible that the birds did not successfully breed there. The first family, with 12 youngsters, was photographed by GA at T12 on 22 April and I saw eight at the same place four days later, hopefully four youngsters had not perished in that time. On this day a family of about eight young birds were at T4 and there were other families recorded on six occasions spread over six weeks, suggesting that some of these were second broods. Numbers appear to be stable –between five and seven breeding pairs?
Willow Warbler: my view is that this species has declined on the reserve due to changes in habitat (trees grown too large, not enough scrub) and global warming (their range has moved north). In 2019 the species was only recorded by me on four occasions, whilst in 2020 I encountered the species on six survey visits, inc. two on 2 July.
However 2021 saw a brighter situation as I encountered birds on 12 of my 14 visits with the max. being eight on 30 April. However only two adults were ringed and six juveniles which was the only information specifically about breeding. It is possible that about two pairs bred on the reserve.
Chiffchaff: as in the last two years the highest number encountered during my visits was 13, in April and July, and families were noted on 17 June (T6) and possibly on 3 July at T12. On 14 May a bird was regularly entering an area most appropriate for a nest at T2.
As is the case every year there seemed be a lot of contact calls from this species across the reserve in July / August and this would have been a combination of local breeders and passing birds.
Sedge Warbler: the highest count of birds seen / heard across the transects was ten on two of my consecutive visits in April / May. This is higher than last year but
there are consistently less sedge warblers than reed on the reserve. They were most regular by the bund between Bittern Hide and the sluice where they would have bred.. Probable families were seen at T10 on 9 & 27 July.
The ringers report lower numbers of birds ringed this year, 26 adults and 25 juveniles, which are a lot lower than those in 2020.
Reed Warbler: there are parts of the reserve where this species is numerous, notably below Riverwalk Hide where there were eight on 9 July and in front of B Hide where as usual they bred. On 27 June there was a likely family in Transect 4 (near to Rudd Hide) and another family was also noted elsewhere on 27 July. Nos. of birds seen on my visits varied with 21 seen or heard on both 3 & 9 July, which suggests passing migrants. On most visits reed warbler outnumbered sedge.
Reed warbler ringing returns were again phenomenal with 54 adults and 110 juveniles ringed ( in 2020 it was 60 and 118). Of interest was that in 2020 38 birds were ringed before 14 July and our conclusion was that these were likely to have been reared on the reserve. This year that no. was three and it is felt that this reflects the fact that first broods were generally unsuccessful, this could easily be due to the cold April. So whilst early breeding success was poor this would have been compensated by the success of second broods. Due to the stability of adult bird numbers my estimate remains that
10-12 pairs bred on the reserve this year.
Grasshopper Warbler: one of the highlights this year was the ringing of two adults and two juveniles on the reserve and this was evidence that they bred on the marsh. They were reported as regularly calling on the reserve in 2021, compared with 2020, and the lateness of their song suggested two broods.
We continue to work on the marsh and meadow area to provide what we believe to be their suitable habitat.
Blackcap: again thiswas the most numerous summer visitor across the reserve with 27 birds encountered on 8 June and one less on my previous visit 25 May. There were a further four visits with 20 or more birds. Transects 1 and 2 tended to have most birds: on 8 June I found a family at T2, whilst on 3 July I found a family at T1 and a probable family on T2.
The ringers report ringing 65 birds inc. 54 juveniles. This is a much lower total then last year when it was 147 birds in total. From my numbers in the chart I again suggest 15-20 pairs across the reserve again this year.
Garden Warbler: between one and eleven were recorded on 10 visits (4 dates had 11 birds) and this species is increasing across the reserve as these were greater numbers than in 2020. I am unsure whether this is a reflection of the reserve, or this species is doing well globally.
The only evidence I found of successful breeding was on 8 June when there was a very agitated bird near Riverwalk Hide, this suggesting the presence of young birds. I would suggest that the higher numbers that I have recorded are reflected in a higher no. of breeding pairs, say about five breeding pairs across the reserve.
Lesser Whitethroat: for the third consecutive year I had only one record this year, hearing one from the car park on 25 May. An adult and juvenile were ringed on the reserve. However it is unlikely that they bred on or near to the reserve but they may have nested on the meadows across Fishery Lane, as hinted by the above record.
Common Whitethroat: it would appear that nos. on the reserve are similar to those in 2020 with the top number being 12 on 8 June. Notwithstanding this during the summer I felt that there was more evidence of this species over the river, and less on the reserve, but the nos. don’t back this up. Families were regularly seen: on 9 July two families were seen between Rudd and Riverwalk hide, (T8) where courtship had been reported on 14 May. Juveniles were seen by me on 9 July and 20 August at Transect 6 (between Rudd and Riverwalk Hides).
The ringers’ report that they ringed 11 adults, as well as 28 juveniles but it is difficult to understand where those young birds hatched.
Goldcrest: my evidence is that this species was more widespread across the reserve in 2021 than last year. Birds were regularly seen or heard at T6 as is usual, that being around the hollies by the copse by the river. They undoubtedly bred here and another hotspot for this species was around the fishing pools near where the roller is kept. Birds were also quite regularly located near to the ditch by the angling pools and on the basis of this there were at least three breeding pairs on the reserve, probably more
Wren: again the most numerous woodland breeder on the reserve, with the most heard or seen being 45 both on 23 April and 8 June (compared with 30 in 2019 and 36 on 28 May 2020). The ringers reported a nest within a nestbox but were unable to examine its contents for fear of damaging it. The 50% increase over three seasons did not lead to more sightings of families on the reserve –
25 May – family sighted behind Riverwalk Hide
27 July – family at T1.
Allowing for the increase in this species I estimate 25-30 breeding pairs.
It is likely that the habitat management and the lack of cold winters will lead to further increases in this species at the reserve.
Nuthatch: This species seems to be declining on the reserve with little evidence of birds on the reserve in the breeding season. On 17 June there was a family present by transect 1. The other transect where birds were heard or seen was T10 (the poplars) and an adult plus four were behind B Hide on 2 June (PS). These two areas were their strongholds last year as well and on the basis of this I would again suggest two pairs bred.
Treecreeper: In contrast to the above bird this species is doing very well, no doubt benefiting from the poplars on the reserve, and the tendency of their branches coming away, leaving splits in the trees’ structure.
The birds’ regular sightings were in the same positions as last year and included in the trees by the gate to the reserve where there were two on 30 April and 19 May. They almost certainly nested here, backed up by juveniles being seen nearby on 9 & 27 July.
Birds were also regular on T10 by the brook between the sluice and B Hide with three seen within 50 metres of each other in the poplars on 23 April, a few days after a nest had been filmed on a mobile phone.
T 12 was another strong area for tree creepers with four heard there on 27 July but birds are likely to be heard anywhere across the reserve . The species is stable, or increasing and I again estimate 4-6 breeding pairs on the reserve.
Starling: are not commonly seen within the reserve in the breeding season. I saw one on 4 May at the entrance to the ringers’ area, and I was subsequently informed that a pair nested in a tree nearby, which has happened in previous years
Blackbird: widespread across the reserve partic. in the wooded areas. The most birds seen or heard was 24 on 17 June, the same figure as 2020. I recorded no families or juveniles with the exception of a juvenile at Hide A on 12 August but this species is holding its status on the reserve so my estimate of 15 pairs is probably accurate.
Song Thrush: after noting a perceived increase of this species in 2020 I did specific counts this year, with seven the maximum encountered on 19 May, and six on 17 June. Most birds counted were in song.
Encouragingly there were reports of successful breeding with a juvenile seen by me at T6 and in August PS reported that a nest in the woodyard had produced three fledged birds. I will again estimate 3-5 breeding pairs.
Robin: maximum birds seen / heard was 22 on 14 May and this is higher than the maxima of the last two years. On other visits recorded nos. were between 4 and 16 and this demonstrates an increase in the population. This accounts in an increase in juveniles seen –
- juveniles at T1 on 17 June and 3 July, and probably linked to this was GA seeing a family being fed at the car park two days later.
- juvenile seen at T2 on 25 May and juveniles were on the track here on 12 August, suggesting a nest nearby.
- 27 July, a juvenile in front of B Hide
- 12 August – there was a noisy family by the fishing pools (T12)
An additional record to substantiate breeding was a bird gathering nesting material, and entering brash the other side of the brook. This is an increasing breeder at the reserve, like the wren, with an estimate of 12 – 15 pairs.
House Sparrow – this species is seen more regularly, on the river side of the reserve, but there are records of its presence on the reserve such as on 19 May at T8, this by no means a unique record. There was no evidence of breeding on the reserve and they are likely to be associated with the stables and houses over the river, from where reserve visitors can hear them
Dunnock: the most recorded was 12 birds on 19 May and 27 July and nos. averaged about 8 so there may be a slight increase in nos. on the reserve. On 5 July GA reported young being fed in the car park and I saw a juvenile from Rudd Hide on 27 July, near to brambles, a preferred nesting plant. On 6 April there was a pair at T2 in good nesting habitat and on 19 May birds were prob. breeding in brambles at T6. Birds were regular on the track down to the reserve and invariably a pair were under the Hide A feeders. On the basis of my figures I estimate at least ten pairs across the reserve.
Grey Wagtail: these are an ever-present on the river and there was evidence of breeding as usual. In 2021 the area where they were most often seen was T6 ie between Rudd and Riverwalk Hides Three or four adults were on the far riverbank by the stables on 13 April. On 14 May there was a pair together on the transect and two juveniles were seen on 8 June. Single juvs. were also seen in the immediate area on 17 June, 27 July and 20 August.
There was a lot of grey wagtail activity in this area so possibly two pairs bred in the vicinity. With the exception of an adult + juvenile by B Pool on 25 May, seen from B Hide, the first date a juvenile was seen, I found no more grey wagtails. Last year in addition to birds at T6, I recorded juveniles at the bridge by the car park, and by the outflow (“concrete sandbags”) on the far bank (T8). With this in mind I estimate that three pairs bred on the river adjacent to the reserve.
Pied Wagtail: this species was often located quite near to the grey wagtails with T6 again being where it was most regularly seen. There were two males on the river behind Rudd Hide on 30 April and on 14 May there was an adult here. On 25 May there appeared to be two broods present on this transect, each with two juveniles. Or was it one brood of four that became separated? Additionally, on 8 June a juvenile was on the roof of the sand martin “bank”, very close to Rudd Hide.
This species was also regular at B Pools and an adult and juvenile were seen from Bittern Hide on 25 May, and also two immature birds were at this pool on 17 June.
There were less sightings of juveniles this year than last and they were less far reaching on the reserve. I am inclined to say that there were 2-3 breeding pairs.
Chaffinch: whilst birds are quite regular at the Hide A feeders in winter and early spring this species is not common on the reserve in the breeding season. Song was heard quite often, such as in the area between Rudd & Riverwalk Hides on two dates in April and in the riverside willows in T10 on 8 June. The copse including the holly trees in T6 would be a good nesting area but unlike last year when a family was reported there has been no evidence of breeding on the reserve. Information to the contrary would be useful.
Bullfinch: I had no encounters with bullfinch during my surveys which highlights the decline in this species at Ladywalk, but there was a report from PS of a family between Rudd & Riverwalk Hides on 25 July. I suspect that this family were not reared on the reserve but across the river, possibly by Fishery Lane where bullfinches are regularly seen. Last year I stated that bullfinches are regular at the far end of Fishery Lane and along the road / path to Edison Rd. as these areas must have habitat more to the bullfinch’s liking ie tall unkempt hedging. Ladywalk does not appear to have the habitat that bullfinches require, our patterns of woodland and habitat management do not appear to be to their liking.
Greenfinch: this species continues to be regular at the Hide A feeders in winter / spring with five at the feeders when I visited on 6 April. Juveniles were regularly sighted here, for example on 27 July and 12 August and it is interesting to note that 19 juveniles were ringed on the reserve this year.
They nested on the reserve with one location being a buddlea or adjacent brambles which a male was seen to enter on 25 May. The number of ringed birds suggests that breeding was successful on the reserve – 3-4 pairs?
Linnet: continue to be a regular on the reserve particularly in the area of river between Rudd Hide and the sluice. On 19 May approx. eight were seen in various locations by the river. They probably nest over the river but there is suitable breeding habitat on the reserve such as the rape plants by Bittern Hide. Unlike the previous species, no juveniles were ringed, but 10 adults were, which confirms that whilst there were numbers of adults visiting the reserve, many bred elsewhere.
Goldfinch: this species is regular on the reserve with approx. four at T2 on 6 April and there were about eight on thistles by Rudd Hide. It is disappointing that there were no reports of juveniles or family groups on the reserve but it is hoped that one or two pairs nested.
Reed Bunting: maximum numbers were higher than in the last two years with the highest number recorded being 16 on 30 April and with nos. in double figures on a further three dates. My impression on my visits was that there were more reed buntings calling and sighted and this confirms that. They are particularly active, with birds often chasing each other, in the reeds under Riverwalk Hide with up to five on 14 May. A juvenile was seen on 17 June between Bittern and B hide and others were at the Hide A feeders by 27 July. It is good to report increased nos. and my estimate would be 4-6 breeding pairs.
Conclusion
It is pleasing to report that 2021 saw a full breeding survey as opposed to 2020 when I was unable to carry out my first visit until 24 May. I am unsure whether the absence of records for the first two months of the 2020 breeding season has had a detrimental effect upon my 2021 records. I believe that the cold April and wet May did have a negative effect upon breeding and this may be a reason that the ringers were disappointed with the numbers of occupied nestboxes and nestlings within them. As a result of the April / May weather it is possible that second broods did better.
There were some real highlights this year particularly with waders. This is the first year that redshanks have nested for many years and the one bird that fledged had to swim for its life during flooding. The number of Lapwing nests increased fourfold compared with 2020 and approx.15 birds fledging was an excellent return. As stated in the main report predation was kept to a minimum by the presence of adult birds to see off crows, lesser black backed gulls and a fox, according to photographic evidence.
The undoubted negative this year is what seems to be a nil return on willow tit breeding. They were present on site during the breeding season, and remain so (winter / spring 2022) and numbers may now be approaching a critical low, from which they cannot recover. The number of calling males and early nesting activity will be awaited with some trepidation as we move into March / April.
Little ringed plover activity could be categorised as a negative as whilst they hatched the young were flooded out. We believe that better water management across the reserve particularly at B pool and its scrapes could lead to greater breeding success of this species and waders in general. We hope that this can be implemented through a commercially provided scheme certainly for 2023, and we may be able to make some minor adjustments for this year.
The success of redshank and lapwing highlights the success of earthworks done in this area of the reserve. It is hoped that other work such as on the marsh and in the woodland will have continuing positive effects for birds such as grasshopper and other warblers, as well as lesser spotted woodpeckers. Much of this work is according to a management plan but in my view some of this work is hit or miss and it is difficult to quantify what specific piece of work leads to positive breeding results. The ringing returns provide crucial information about breeding activity: it is unlikely that we would have known about grasshopper warbler breeding success without their input. This all contributes to the need for good record keeping through a variety of methods over a lengthy period so that we can measure work done on the reserve viz a viz breeding success. (as well as numbers of visiting birds outside the breeding season).
If there are comments, additions or amendments to this report please contact me at ladywalk@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
Richard J King
March 2022
Appendix A
TOTALS FOR SELECTED SPECIES PER VISIT
( = maximum no. per species)
| SPECIES & DATES | April 6th | April 13th | April 23rd | April 30th | May 4th | May 14th | May 19th | May 25th | June 8th | June 17th | July 3rd | July 9th | July 27th | Aug 12th | |
| Wren | 29 | 40 | 45 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 35 +fam. | 45 | 34 | 28 | 38 | 15 + fam. | 14 | |
| Dunnock | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 1 | |
| Robin | 16 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 12 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 6 | Fam. | |
| Blackbird | 8 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 24 | 14 | 21 | 9 | 8 | |
| Sedge Warbler | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Reed Warbler | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 11+ fam. | 0 | |
| Whitethroat | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 10+ fam. | 3 | 3 | |
| Garden Warbler | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Blackcap | 13 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 17 | 10 | Fam. X2 | 5 | |
| Chiff-Chaff | 9 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6+fam | 11 | 7 | 13 | 10 | |
| Willow Warbler | 2 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Cetti’s Warbler | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |
| Reed Bunting | 3 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Song Thrush | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
Appendix B
BLUE TIT NESTBOX RETURNS LADYWALK
Nest Date Comments
1 11/5/2021 2 ringed
2 14/5/2021 7 ringed
3 18/5/2021 8 ringed
4 18/5/2021 7 ringed
5 18/5/2021 9 ringed
6 23/5/2021 7 ringed
7 23/5/2021 6 ringed
8 23/5/2021 4 ringed
9 23/5/2021 5 ringed
10 23/5/2021 8 ringed
11 27/5/2021 4 ringed
12 27/5/2021 8 ringed
13 31/5/2021 6 ringed
14 7/6/2021 6 ringed
87 in 14 nests, average 6.2 , max 9 , min 2
1 11/5/2021 All young dead post hatching
2 11/5/2021 Nest abandoned Nest material wet
3 11/5/2021 Predated at egg stage
4 11/5/2021 Predated at egg stage
5 11/5/2021 Predated at egg stage
6 1/6/2021 Predated at egg stage
7 1/6/2021 Predated at half grown stage by woodpecker
8 1/6/2021 Full of Black Ants feeding on dead half grown chicks
GREAT TIT NESTBOX RETURNS LADYWALK
Nest Date Comments
1 11/5/2021 8 ringed
2 11/5/2021 5 ringed
3 11/5/2021 6 ringed
4 11/5/2021 6 ringed
5 11/5/2021 7 ringed
6 11/5/2021 6 ringed
7 11/5/2021 7 ringed
8 14/5/2021 8 ringed
9 18/5/2021 3 ringed
10 18/5/2021 7 ringed
11 18/5/2021 2 ringed
65 in 11 nests, average 5.9 , max 8 ,min 2
1 11/5/2021 Predated chicks half grown
2 11/5/2021 Predated at egg stage
3 4/6/2021 Chicks dead half grown
LadywalkNATURE 