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The wildfowl on the South Pools displayed much phrenetic activity during April 2019. You might recall that a pair of Canada Geese chose the pools as their nesting site and became very possessive of the area. Consequently, they challenged any intruders, irrespective of size, who strayed anywhere remotely near to their nest. This made for interesting birdwatching and potential photo opportunities, as Shelduck, Gadwall, other Canada Geese, a Heron and even Mute Swans were set upon by the geese and scattered around the pools. I was very much looking forward to watching a repeat of the spectacle this April, but staying at home is a current imperative at this dreadful time. I have included a few images from last April’s display, which might well be repeating itself this year, albeit less well observed.
for those of you struggling to keep one child occupied think of this lady who has 13 to watch out for. Ps - dont worry the pic was taken 12 months ago.
We have received an update from the Hinkley Connection Team re the continuation of work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
Next week they will be working on the bellmouths on Sheepway and will continue with preparations for the temporary haul road. You can read more about the work and the extra safety measures being taken during the COVID-19 pandemic at www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk/hinkley-connection-update-april-2020/
Hinkley Connection Update April 2020 - Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve
www.portburywharfnaturereserve.co.uk
This update relates to the continuation of work at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve and the extra safety measures being taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a briefing we have received from the Community Relations Team of the... Read MoreSadly we cant really spend much time at the Reserve at the moment and so you may enjoy this little video looking back at February.
You will see number of birds in the clip at the end - see if you can identify them:
Gadwall
Lapwing
Little Egret
Blackbird,
Male stone chat
Female stonechat
Grebe- still in winter coat
Greylay Goose
Shoveller
Canade Goose
Tufted Duck
Seagull
Song Thrush
Oyster Catcher
Meadow Pippet
youtu.be/QBqb-Mzw668
February 2020 at Portbury Wharf
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A Compilation of short clips from Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve. My verbal introduction stops at about 2.15 if you would rather go straight to the action.This North Pool roe buck looks nice and warm wrapped up in his thick winter coat! His new antlers are still growing under that soft velvet.
Did you know deer hair is hollow? So each hair holds warm air close to the body . . . nature's insulation.🙂
One of the most popular questions asked - is how to find and see snipe? They are much smaller birds than people realise and you really have to look hard to find them. The best place in my experience is the south pool and at the moment they seem to like a piece of ground which sticks out on the right hand side of the pool as you look out of the hide - just before the muddy bank. There is a video clip here of 5 snipe from yesterday ( you will need to study hard to see all of them) and they will probably keep coming back to this spot for a while yet. I hope that you find them :https://youtu.be/PJdXGcbG_X0
Snipe at the South Pool, Portbury Wharf Reserve
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Unless you look hard you can miss these little birdsIt is not only the blackthorn blossom to look out for around the North Pool. This roe buck and doe were looking at me, looking at them.
As pretty as a picture . . . did you know blackthorn flowers have both male and female reproductive parts (hermaphrodite)?
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Last Updated: September 13, 2019 by fpwnr
Very Scarce Lesser Emperor
We are approaching the end of this year’s dragonfly season, but a few species are still to be seen. In the last week, or so, we have seen: Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies; Common and Ruddy Darters; Migrant Hawkers and a female Emperor depositing eggs on vegetation in the North Pools.
Possibly the most unusual sighting was of the very scarce Lesser Emperor. We had suspected that this rare vagrant, which has bred in the UK, was present at PWNR; but we had no photograph to confirm our suspicions. Our luck changed when we managed to photograph a Lesser Emperor. Though it is not a particularly good image it captures a Lesser Emperor attacking an egg-laying Emperor.
See also our Dragonfly and Damselfly section
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