Bioblitz Bonanza - from Potters to Otters!

Monday, July 22nd 2013

Last night's summer BBQ was a success with over 70 people enjoying James's delicious cooking. This was followed by John Drewett's bat walk where these nocturnal mammals were detected around the reserve. A highlight of this late night walk was listening to Nightjar 'churring' on the moorland near to where the Grasshopper Warbler had been heard earlier in the day.

This morning staff from the Clervaux Trust joined in with the rural crafts demonstrations. Claude and Oscar inspired visitors to create their own designs.

Masterpieces were constructed from layers of felt with the help of Lorne also from the Clervaux Trust.

Natural History walks and talks continued. Professor Mark Seaward gave an intriguing introduction to the lichens of Foxglove.

This event filled a large gap in the existing species list for the reserve.

Species were identified on trees as well as on stone.

In the ringing room over 200 birds were processed as part of the CES scheme.

Spirits remained high despite the 4am start!

All of the data was entered into the computer to be sent to the BTO.

Pond-dipping was very popular with both children and adults alike.

Keith Gittens and his wife lead a dragonfly safari (another is booked in for the 3rd August, see the events section for details).

A small group carried out an Otter survey along the beck and found spraint in several places.

At the outdoor classroom, Sally Reckert shared her enthusiasm for earthworms which were difficult to find in the current extreme dry conditions.

Back at the Field Centre, Ann and her team provided a wealth of hearty refreshments!

The Beacon Bakery soon sold out of their delicious bread and traybakes.

The Yarm detachment of the Cleveland Army Cadet Force presented Foxglove with one of their Regimental plaques which was gratefully received.

Whose idea was it to have a Bioblitz? Here is ranger Edmond whose idea it was in the first place, well done Adam!

The results of this weekend's surveys and the total number of species recorded will be posted here sometime next week, watch this space and thank you to everyone involved.

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