At Highnam, the blue tit breeding productivity was
only slightly worse than in 2006, whereas great tit was down to 67%
eggs to fledging as compared to 83% in 2006. However, number of eggs
and occupied nest boxes was higher and the checkers were
unfortunately seeing many dead chicks, which is a contrast to none
in 2006. The big increase on all previous years was nuthatch with no
less than four breeding pairs. This increase may reflect the
national trend for this species, as it has undergone a 71% increase
since 1994.
Another increase was in nightingale numbers, 16
singing males were heard this year.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to misuse of the hide facility the RSPB were forced to take a decision earlier this year to lock the hide until further notice.
A number of visitors had called us to say they had experienced an uncomfortable and/or intimidating situation in the hide during the daytime so action had to be taken to safeguard our visitors from further incidents within the hide.
The reserve warden has been in close contact with police for advice about how to proceed considering current circumstances. The police regularly patrol the car park both during the day and in the evening in an attempt to alleviate the problem.
The hide will be available for use by the Gloucestershire Local Group at times when they are running public events, but unless the situation changes the hide remain must remain locked.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes but hope that our members and visitors will understand that this decision was not taken lightly and is in the interests of all our visitors.
A new woodland bird viewing area and feeding station, with seating for visitors - has been created close to the car park. The original feeding station will continue to be serviced. We very much hope that visitors can then continue to enjoy close views of birds such as nuthatch, blue tit, great tit, greenfinch and chaffinch at the new location. Please call Barry Embling on 01594 562852 if you need further information.
Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey.
As we are all well aware, the 2007 season has been dominated by
the changeable and wet weather that started back in May and at the
time of writing seems to have at last abated. In the natural world,
the effects of this weather were no doubt wide and far-reaching and
through our nest box monitoring, we have witnessed a sometimes
severe and detrimental effect on our breeding birds at both Nagshead
and Highnam.
