Barry Madden, Volunteer Bird Guide at NWT Cley Marshes
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| Avocet chick, photo by Barry Madden |
It’s been a
successful breeding season for the birds of Cley. During June and July the
scrapes were alive with avocet chicks. Everywhere you looked there were freshly
hatched broods busily foraging around the shallow margins picking small insects
from the water’s surface. Scaled down versions of the adults, complete with
small upturned bill, it is amazing how these tiny creatures begin feeding
themselves almost as soon as they hatch. They seem quite fearless as they
enthusiastically explore their surroundings in their quest for sustenance. The
ever vigilant parents stand sentinel close by, ensuring their particular balls
of down come to no harm.
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| Coots, photo by Barry Madden |
Their most frequent targets, posing real or often only
imaginary threats, were marauding gulls, marsh harrier, wood pigeon, shelduck
and coot; not one was able to get anywhere near the chicks without a spirited
and sustained attack. It is testimony to the high quality of management
activity across the site that so many of these iconic birds successfully
hatched young. The unceasing efforts of the warden and reserves staff have borne fruit; their
dedication deserves high praise. In fact I heard some members of the public say
just that as they delighted in the antics of a pair of chicks feeding close to
Bishop’s Hide. It is very heartening to know the expertise of NWT staff is
appreciated by members of the public whose support is so vital to the Trust’s
work.
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| Cygnets, photo by Barry Madden |
There has
been much evidence of other breeding success. A walk around the reserve has
often revealed young lapwing and redshank chicks tottering across the wet
meadows where grey-lag goslings had formed a crèche off East Bank. Meadow
pipits, reed buntings, sedge warblers, reed warblers, and swallows all seem to
have fared well, whilst the marsh harriers raised three healthy offspring which
have been much enjoyed by the visiting public.
But Cley is
not all about birds. Largely thanks to the glorious warm weather of the last month
it has been insects that have taken centre stage.
The wealth of wild flowers covering
the nature reserve provides breeding and feeding opportunities for a multitude of
butterflies, moths, bees and other 6-legged creatures. At times the south
facing beach slope has been awash with colourful 6-spot burnet moths, common
blues and gatekeepers. The cessation of winter bulldozing of the shingle has
allowed a very interesting plant community to develop all along this area,
especially close to the beach car park. Here at times the myriad thistles,
trefoils and grasses have been covered with dancing butterflies.
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| Silver Y Moth, photo by Barry Madden |
Today a
sprinkling of migrant silver Y moths were busy flitting from flower to flower;
their ability to hover hummingbird-like enabling them to drink deeply from
various tubular flowers that others were unable to exploit. Successful breeding
of several species is evidenced by small armies of caterpillars busy munching away
on their chosen food plant. The larvae of peacock and cinnabar moth are on
display for anyone wishing to look closely at ragwort and nettles, and I was
lucky to see a painted lady caterpillar wriggle across the path in front of me.
So much life, and it’s not there by accident. Sympathetic management based on
decades of experience allows the reserve to flourish all year round. Much of
this activity takes place away from the public gaze, or in the early hours and
is therefore not always obvious. It is all geared to providing wildlife the
best possible habitat and people the best opportunity of observing what decides
to call Cley Marshes home.
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