Newsletter - October 2007 to May 2008
The population of
Coot has been counted on an ongoing basis during
the period. The highest number recorded was in January and
February when a maximum of 27 were observed. Although coot are
often thought to be largely sedentary, it is clear that much of the
year 'our' coots are constantly moving between Urswick Tarn and
other nearby waters. A count of 27 on the tarn one day would
be followed a few days later by a count of only 7, followed by one
of 14. During the same period, nearby waters, all much smaller
than the tarn, held a maximum of 10, 20 and 32.
Mallard numbers, although higher than for some time, were still well down on a decade or so ago. A maximum of 55 reflects a national decline.
Up to two drake Wigeon have been on the tarn for some weeks, presumably they are stragglers from an unusually large flock of 70+ which have been frequenting the locality.
Another less common duck seen during the period has been the Shoveller, with up to 4 seen intermittently, perhaps taking advantage of the increase in shallows during the periods of higher water levels.
One duck which has always been scarce in these parts is the rather non-descript Gadwall. Of late, it seems to be increasing in the Furness area with up to 3 on the tarn at anyone time. This is more sightings during this period than the sum of all others together.
As usual, geese have been much in evidence, with up to 58 Canada and over 100 Greylags noted.
One feature of the winter has been the unusually large numbers of Oystercatchers. A maximum of 73 were counted on the meadows around the tarn. Whether, as has been suggested, this reflects a lack of shellfish off local shores, or is a consequence of sodden fields making inland feeding easier, is unknown, but the numbers and frequency of sightings are unique. What can be said with certainty is that not all the oystercatchers lived to return to the shore, as their remains were found over a wide area, some having been devoured by bird or beast.
Birds of prey have been much in evidence, with Buzzards especially commented on by a number of people. When one considers the size of a buzzard, its habit of soaring for long periods, often calling loudly, and the fact that up to 4 together are now regularly seen over the tarn, it is perhaps not surprising they are noticed so often. A recent sighting of one gliding over The Hagg with prey dangling from its talons was an illustration of the buzzard's favourite food - a baby bunny lifted off the slope above Holme Bank farm.
The smaller birds of prey often go unnoticed. A brief sighting of the tiny Merlin over Holme Bank meadows was a prime illustration, tearing after small birds and gone in moments. This is only the third sighting in as many decades.
The Sparrow hawk also goes largely unnoticed until it has the temerity to raid a garden bird table, but its raids on flocks of Redwing wintering in the local woods are rarely seen.
Kestrels have been ever present, especially hunting the long grass of The Hagg, with 3 present on one occasion. At present there appears to be two pairs in the area with one frequently calling and seen performing their flickering display flight over the tarn.
Whilst most birds of prey are thought of as loan hunters, some occasionally choose to improve the odds of success by hunting in pairs, especially the Peregrine Falcon. While one falcon soars high, the other follows, perhaps lower at a discreet distance. Then one will dive at potential prey and may miss and glide away, but if the intended target feels a sense of relief and self congratulation at still being alive and out manoeuvring the peregrine, it is short lived as a split second later it is caught from behind by the second falcon. With a pair of Peregrines frequenting the tarn for much of the winter, it was perhaps only a matter of time before such a hunt was witnessed here, and in March it was. The first sign peregrines were very close was a somewhat startling whoosh of air immediately overhead at treetop height as a female peregrine pulled out of a dive, followed by a wood pigeon frantically changing course followed a split second later by another whoosh of wings as the male falcon dived to finish the hunt - but missed!
On the Landings, Bullfinches have been much in evidence. Usually only 2 to 4 have been seen together, but a flock of 12 feeding together for several weeks was notable even on a Cumbria wide scale.
Recently 2 pairs of dabchicks (Little Grebes) have been on the tarn, so hopefully they will rear young again.
Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe have also been present in recent weeks.
With the departure of last year's cygnets, the long running Swan war subsided, as we knew it would. With the female now sitting on a nest, the male continues his by now familiar ritual of constantly harassing the geese that hope to breed here. Long may this continue.
As the tarn is the largest freshwater body in the area it is not surprising that Otters are now frequent visitors, the only evidence that they are (or have been) present being the signs they leave behind. Recent signs indicated the otters have clearly been using the tarn more than ever and that almost certainly, at least one cub was also present during the period. When one considers the size of an otter, such 'signs' can be surprisingly difficult for the uninitiated to identify, so a fresh otter spraint (dropping) on Mr. Blacklock's jetty in recent weeks provided an ideal opportunity to introduce two villagers to the finer points regarding size/shape/consistency and, especially, the smell of otter 'pooh'. Although no comments were received at the time, it is felt that the memory of the event will stay with both gentlemen for some considerable time.
Maintenance work on the Landings, paths and litter bins has continued together with management work in other areas.
Treatment with herbicide appears, finally, to have killed off scores of aspen suckers threatening the lower slopes of The Hagg.
Higher up the slopes, and above the road, similar treatment has largely killed off considerable areas of various bramble species, allowing the few surviving shoots to be spot treated. Much work has been carried out more recently clearing dead brambles and burning off the thick mats of grass, etc. to expose any remaining bramble suckers. Hopefully the natural grassland and the various species of flowers associated with it will now re-establish.
The presence of several dozen sycamore saplings and cherry suckers illustrates just how quickly an open grassy area can become a wood, so in recent weeks most of these have been cut down and the stumps treated to prevent regrowth.
In the tarn itself, more branches have been added to existing enclosures. Happily the increase in reed growth in these areas is now clear to see.
More recently the hedge alongside The Croft reed bed has been laid, allowing more light into the reeds and opening up more views of the tarn from the road.
In total, approximately 200 hours of management work has been carried out during the period of this newsletter.
With regard to fishing, the most interesting development would seem to be the recent catching of several sea trout, which so far as is known is a first for the tarn. It illustrates what could perhaps be if Gleaston Beck could be even partially restored to its former condition.
Stop press: Most recently, on 22 April 5 coot nests with a total of 32 eggs were located around the tarn. By 5 May 6 pairs of coot had laid eggs but 2 of the original nests (13 eggs) were now empty with no obvious sign of young. Counting continues.
Mallard numbers, although higher than for some time, were still well down on a decade or so ago. A maximum of 55 reflects a national decline.
Up to two drake Wigeon have been on the tarn for some weeks, presumably they are stragglers from an unusually large flock of 70+ which have been frequenting the locality.
Another less common duck seen during the period has been the Shoveller, with up to 4 seen intermittently, perhaps taking advantage of the increase in shallows during the periods of higher water levels.
One duck which has always been scarce in these parts is the rather non-descript Gadwall. Of late, it seems to be increasing in the Furness area with up to 3 on the tarn at anyone time. This is more sightings during this period than the sum of all others together.
As usual, geese have been much in evidence, with up to 58 Canada and over 100 Greylags noted.
One feature of the winter has been the unusually large numbers of Oystercatchers. A maximum of 73 were counted on the meadows around the tarn. Whether, as has been suggested, this reflects a lack of shellfish off local shores, or is a consequence of sodden fields making inland feeding easier, is unknown, but the numbers and frequency of sightings are unique. What can be said with certainty is that not all the oystercatchers lived to return to the shore, as their remains were found over a wide area, some having been devoured by bird or beast.
Birds of prey have been much in evidence, with Buzzards especially commented on by a number of people. When one considers the size of a buzzard, its habit of soaring for long periods, often calling loudly, and the fact that up to 4 together are now regularly seen over the tarn, it is perhaps not surprising they are noticed so often. A recent sighting of one gliding over The Hagg with prey dangling from its talons was an illustration of the buzzard's favourite food - a baby bunny lifted off the slope above Holme Bank farm.
The smaller birds of prey often go unnoticed. A brief sighting of the tiny Merlin over Holme Bank meadows was a prime illustration, tearing after small birds and gone in moments. This is only the third sighting in as many decades.
The Sparrow hawk also goes largely unnoticed until it has the temerity to raid a garden bird table, but its raids on flocks of Redwing wintering in the local woods are rarely seen.
Kestrels have been ever present, especially hunting the long grass of The Hagg, with 3 present on one occasion. At present there appears to be two pairs in the area with one frequently calling and seen performing their flickering display flight over the tarn.
Whilst most birds of prey are thought of as loan hunters, some occasionally choose to improve the odds of success by hunting in pairs, especially the Peregrine Falcon. While one falcon soars high, the other follows, perhaps lower at a discreet distance. Then one will dive at potential prey and may miss and glide away, but if the intended target feels a sense of relief and self congratulation at still being alive and out manoeuvring the peregrine, it is short lived as a split second later it is caught from behind by the second falcon. With a pair of Peregrines frequenting the tarn for much of the winter, it was perhaps only a matter of time before such a hunt was witnessed here, and in March it was. The first sign peregrines were very close was a somewhat startling whoosh of air immediately overhead at treetop height as a female peregrine pulled out of a dive, followed by a wood pigeon frantically changing course followed a split second later by another whoosh of wings as the male falcon dived to finish the hunt - but missed!
On the Landings, Bullfinches have been much in evidence. Usually only 2 to 4 have been seen together, but a flock of 12 feeding together for several weeks was notable even on a Cumbria wide scale.
Recently 2 pairs of dabchicks (Little Grebes) have been on the tarn, so hopefully they will rear young again.
Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe have also been present in recent weeks.
With the departure of last year's cygnets, the long running Swan war subsided, as we knew it would. With the female now sitting on a nest, the male continues his by now familiar ritual of constantly harassing the geese that hope to breed here. Long may this continue.
As the tarn is the largest freshwater body in the area it is not surprising that Otters are now frequent visitors, the only evidence that they are (or have been) present being the signs they leave behind. Recent signs indicated the otters have clearly been using the tarn more than ever and that almost certainly, at least one cub was also present during the period. When one considers the size of an otter, such 'signs' can be surprisingly difficult for the uninitiated to identify, so a fresh otter spraint (dropping) on Mr. Blacklock's jetty in recent weeks provided an ideal opportunity to introduce two villagers to the finer points regarding size/shape/consistency and, especially, the smell of otter 'pooh'. Although no comments were received at the time, it is felt that the memory of the event will stay with both gentlemen for some considerable time.
Maintenance work on the Landings, paths and litter bins has continued together with management work in other areas.
Treatment with herbicide appears, finally, to have killed off scores of aspen suckers threatening the lower slopes of The Hagg.
Higher up the slopes, and above the road, similar treatment has largely killed off considerable areas of various bramble species, allowing the few surviving shoots to be spot treated. Much work has been carried out more recently clearing dead brambles and burning off the thick mats of grass, etc. to expose any remaining bramble suckers. Hopefully the natural grassland and the various species of flowers associated with it will now re-establish.
The presence of several dozen sycamore saplings and cherry suckers illustrates just how quickly an open grassy area can become a wood, so in recent weeks most of these have been cut down and the stumps treated to prevent regrowth.
In the tarn itself, more branches have been added to existing enclosures. Happily the increase in reed growth in these areas is now clear to see.
More recently the hedge alongside The Croft reed bed has been laid, allowing more light into the reeds and opening up more views of the tarn from the road.
In total, approximately 200 hours of management work has been carried out during the period of this newsletter.
With regard to fishing, the most interesting development would seem to be the recent catching of several sea trout, which so far as is known is a first for the tarn. It illustrates what could perhaps be if Gleaston Beck could be even partially restored to its former condition.
Stop press: Most recently, on 22 April 5 coot nests with a total of 32 eggs were located around the tarn. By 5 May 6 pairs of coot had laid eggs but 2 of the original nests (13 eggs) were now empty with no obvious sign of young. Counting continues.
Harry Stables
Urswick Tarn Association
12 May 2008
Urswick Tarn Association
12 May 2008