Sandwell Valley Bat Detectives

Sandwell Valley Bat Detectives!!

I thought I should just check in to let you all know about a youth bat event we did the other week. A big part of my role is to get local young people out and enjoying local wildlife. As such I have arranged a series of events for local youth clubs to take part in. Two weeks ago we had a bat night and ‘after party’. Here is a short account of the evening.

Morgan Bowers a bat expert from ‘brum bats’ came along to talk to young people from the local youth group and a local scouts group about the bats that live in Sandwell valley. Morgan takes in rescued bats to rehabilitate them before releasing them back into the wild; she was kind enough to bring a bat in for us to look at. For most of the children this was the first bat they had ever seen; for me it was an absolute privilege to see their faces light up when Morgan carefully reached into the ‘bat basket’ and pulled out the nocturnal delight.

There are 18 species of bat in the UK, and this particular visitor was a serotine bat called ‘vlad’ (an exceptionally good name for a bat). After watching him chomp rather nosily on several mealworms we put him back in his basked and headed out, intrepid explorers equipped with bat detectors, we made our way to the marsh screen to see what species of bat might be flying around the reserve. This is a nice sheltered spot and we suspected that it would be visited by bats filling up on moths; the last of the summer’s bounty before the autumn really takes hold of the landscape, sending both the insects and bats to sleep for the winter.

Alas, it was not to be. 30 bat detectors held eagerly aloft by 30 young hands sadly detected very little at this first location. Despite the myriad of flying insects, the bats proved elusive, deciding to feast elsewhere that evening. As time went on, we were losing light fast, as a last attempt to glimpse our night time friends we made our way to the flood bank to see if we could catch sight of one flying around the river Tame. Just as we were about to give up, the unmistakable ‘tick tick tick’ on a couple of the bat detectors got the group buzzing again. There was a small Pippistrelle flying around. It really is amazing to see young people this excited about wildlife. Eyes wide open, straining against the impending darkness, desperate to catch a glimpse of the distinctive silhouette of a bat.

A few children saw it, but it was fleeting and then lost into the inky night sky. It was time to head back to the classroom for some hot chocolate and treats. Not a great deal of wildlife, but a huge success in my books, young people outdoors on a nature reserve and having fun (and not at home watching the telly)!

If you’re interested in bats I would encourage you to visit the ‘brumbats’ website and get involved,  http://brumbats.wordpress.com/

Nadia

Working in partnership to give nature a home

 

Whose been visiting?

Bird sightings week beginning 21st September 2014

Cormorant, Canada goose, black headed gull, tufted duck, mute swan, lapwing, carrion crow, moorhen, gadwall, starling, buzzard, great crested grebe, wigeon, kingfisher, little grebe, jackdaw, pochard, Mediterranean gull, mallard, teal, heron, swallow, great spotted woodpecker, snipe, herring gull, pintail x 2, shoveler, grey wagtail, skylark flying over, coot, lesser black backed gull, magpie, wood pigeon, stock dove, green sandpiper,  water rail, kestrel, pied wagtail, green woodpecker, jay, sparrowhawk and blackbird.

What's about at RSPB Sandwell Valley?

Bird sightings week beginning 14^th September 2014

Cormorant, black headed gull, lapwing, lesser black backed gull, swan, gadwall, coot, carrion crow, stock dove, moorhen, starling, mallard, tufted duck, heron, jackdaw, buzzard, great crested grebe, shoveler, snipe, kingfisher, little grebe, jay, pintail, ruff, wood pigeon, house martin, Canada goose, teal, wigeon, herring gull, green sandpiper, grey wagtail, chiffchaff, kestrel, magpie, jack snipe, raven, green woodpecker, Mediterranean gull, sparrowhawk, robin, parakeet, water rail( heard).

I'll be out and about so come and vote

Have you voted yet? Well now’s your chance... tomorrow (Wednesday 24^th September) I’ll be out at Forge Mill Farm from 10am and our local Tesco Express, The Great Barr Express, from 1pm. The model for the new centre will be with me as well as the all important voting box! If you can’t make it tomorrow then drop in to our temporary centre or give us an email at sandwellvalley@rspb.org.uk and have your say in what your new visitor centre is called.

Forge Mill Lake (By Chris)

Who am I? I’m Jazz, the Community Engagement Intern here at Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve. I started back in June this year, you may have met me but you may not have. I’m often out at my table, sat around the wildlife garden, with the model for the new centre giving out information and getting you to vote on the centre name. You may meet me tomorrow.

A bit about me...

I recently completed a degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology at the University of Exeter down on the Cornwall Campus. I was raised in the midlands by an avid birdwatcher (not quite twitcher status) so; therefore, I should know a lot more about the birds that frequent our reserve than I already do. I have a great appreciation for birds, their delicate feathers, fluctuating social lives and how some teeny tiny ones travel thousands of miles. I have tried to look in many identification books and absorb the information but nothing quite beats going out and watching the next tale unfold with another unidentified flying creature. Then there are the insects, plants, mammals and especially the fungi this time of year to spot and identify and ponder over a book for another hour or so. 

However, fear not for my lack of identification skills as I am now surrounded by many knowledgeable people. Every 2 weeks I plan to spend an afternoon, wondering round the reserve, seeing what’s about and chatting to ‘those in the know’. I give myself a target of one unidentified species to identify each time, to consolidate the most recent highlights (some in my opinion, others in my colleagues) and to point out the bits you should have a look at when you pop down to the valley. 

Starting next week, I’m going to get out there and hopefully you’ll join me and help me through this blog as I try to hone in on my identification skills and general appreciation for our side of the valley.

Jazz

P.S. if you’re an early bird then head out to the reserve early in the morning. I was cycling in at 7.30 this morning and it was such a spectacular view. The light was golden, the birds were all chilling out (literally, it was freezing!) on the islands and steam was rising from the lake, catching the suns rays and making it so atmospheric. (I'll try get a photograph for you tomorrow) Ooh Autumn is a wonderfully special month. 

Sandwell Valley

The vote is on...

The vote is on..............

Have you voted yet?............No I don’t mean the Scottish referendum, I’m talking about the other important vote taking place this month; and quite frankly, we think it is a much more pressing matter. Your local nature reserve’s new visitor centre in Sandwell Valley begins construction this month, and we’re giving it a name. We thought that ‘RSPB Sandwell Valley nature reserve visitor centre’ was a bit of a mouthful, so we started a campaign to give it a name back in March this year. Over 100 name suggestions came in, from staff, volunteers, local residents and visitors.

Iman and Alistair, part of our visitor volunteer team
holding the new centre model 

A bit of background info (for those new to the site/blog/earth): The RSPB have lovingly managed this nature reserve in this quiet corner of Sandwell valley for over 35 years, and for 25 years, a visitor centre stood proudly at the heart of the reserve overlooking the valley, with views stretching over the meadows and forge mill lake. Sadly in 2010 the centre was burnt down due to vandalism. Four years on and we’re weeks away from the diggers arriving to begin construction of our new building. All thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust,  Edward and Dorothy Cadbury Trust and other charitable trust.

Members of a community forum, held here every two months, met in July to whittle the name suggestions to a shortlist of just two names, and since July we have been asking for your vote. So the choices are, ‘natures reach’ or ‘the view’ – both brilliant names which reflect where the building will sit, high on a hill looking down across the reserve.

We want you to have your say and cast your vote. 

Please drop in a see us or email us on sandwellvalley@rspb.org.uk with your choice. 

When you go down to the valley… you’re in for a big adventure!

When you go down to the valley… you’re in for a big adventure!

Okay so it doesn’t rhyme very well (at all) but this is a fantastic time of year as the seasons are beginning to change and there is a great deal of things for you to see and do out on the reserve.

Starting from the intricate metal gates that are bursting with natural figures from a lapwing to bicycles, you are welcomed onto Sandwell Valley Nature reserve. Heading down the lane that comes off of Tanhouse Avenue you may fancy popping into our temporary visitor centre to collect a map and pick the brains of the lovely Ann and Anna, a couple of our hardworking volunteers that are on hand to answer your queries. Moving onwards down the road you’ll be surrounded by a wealth of nature’s bounty. With fruits ripening left, right and centre, the wildlife at Sandwell has a good crop of food to prepare them for the cold winter months ahead. Keep your eyes open and you may even spot a variety of small birds and squirrels feeding on the fruits. Going over the railway bridge be sure to have a look at the lights on the tracks, if it’s green you may be able to watch a train wiz by in the next few moments, an exciting moment for some young and even old visitors. A little further on over the bridge you’ll see Taragon’s (the horse) field and if you’re really lucky, sometimes you can get a glimpse of sharp pointy ears sticking out of the grass belonging to the fox family that live alongside the railway.

Kingfisher by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.org.uk)

Once you get onto the foot path on the left of the road you’ll have the opportunity to wander down a path on the left leading towards the River Tame. This will take you to Kingfisher Corner, with a bench allowing you to stop and watch the river go by, you may be in with the chance of spotting a glimpse of an elusive Kingfisher. Aptly named as they are the fishermen of our rivers, you may just see a fleeting shot of electric blue, in my opinion one of the most rewarding sights available on our reserve. Looking almost too big for its petite body, the kingfisher’s beak is sharp and sword-like, perfect for catching small fishes. The reward comes in the bounty of colour this fisherman boasts, contrasting with electric blue and sunset orange they are hard to miss as they fly by.

Have you got a good tale to tell? Whether you have or haven’t Storytelling Corner is a great place to gather the kids and play some games. With the autumnal leaves still on the trees this spot is part of the woodland, found by continuing along the path from kingfisher corner and going upwards away from the river. Made up of a ring of tree stumps, this area is perfect for storytelling and often used by our field teachers. (It’s also a good spot to shelter from a rainy spell).

Anyway, that’s enough of me blabbering; I’ll continue this tour later on and let you explore the valley to find the spot that is special to you. 

Jazz 

Sandwell Swans Evening Adventure - Wildlife Explorers Club

On Saturday evening, a group of eager children, torches in hand set off on an evening adventure led by Beccy. Straightaway we saw a pair of fox cubs playing in the horse’s field, which is something we don’t usually see during our afternoon sessions. 

Then we followed a picture trail as we made our way to the Hide and once inside we had a look to see which birds were out on the lake. We saw Canada Geese, Mallards, a Lapwing and Coots and drew pictures of them to take home. 

As the sun began to set across the lake, we left the hide and walked to the Minibeast Meadow to check and see whether any moths had landed on the moth blanket which we had set up. 

The light from the moth lamp shone brightly in the corner of the meadow, but sadly no moths could be seen, however the midges were out in full force. We did find a toad, a newt and plenty of little insects hiding under the logs in the meadow. 

As darkness fell, we switched on our torches and walked back to the classroom and as luck would have it, we saw a number of moths on the way back as well as a bat flitting around above our heads.

It was a magical evening and allowed us the privilege of seeing the reserve and some of its inhabitants at night time.

Adele - Sandwell Swans