Saving Private Natterjack

As I make my way over to the Natterjack toad pools the time is 9:06 and the sun is already beating down fiercely. The dry spell has been going on for months here at Hokham NNR and while the drying out of these shallow pools is an important part of Natterjack ecology if it happens too early it will kill the fragile tadpoles before they can undergo metamorphosis. Having taken measurements, I calculated that almost 400 litres of water is being evaporated from the ponds each day!

The Natterjack is also known as the ‘running toad’ as the 

short hind limbs allow it to run after prey rather than hop.

So with no rain in sight, it’s time for some drastic action! Today I have brought reinforcements. Using a borrowed 1000 litre water water Tank and a fair bit of ingenuity we intend to top up the pools over this dry spell. This is no easy feat as the topography of the reserve makes it very difficult for the water tank to get close enough to the slacks. As well as avoiding rabbit holes the water (1.5 tonnes) needs to flow downhill in a trickle, this enables warm water to enter the pools, if the water was too cold then the tadpoles would take longer to metamorphose and that would mean a likelihood of higher predation.

It was difficult finding a hosepipe long enough to reach

the ponds! 

Getting the water levels right is crucial for the Natterjack toads to breed successfully. Too much water could spell disaster because the tadpoles could be eaten by diving beetle and dragonfly larvae, too little and the ephemeral ponds will dry out before they have had chance to change.

Depending on the weather Natterjacks breed from 

April to June in Britain.

Why go to all this trouble I hear you ask? In the UK Natterjack populations are small, fragmented and threatened by habitat loss. They are also one of Britain’s rarest amphibians. Holkham NNR is one of only 60 sites in the UK where Natterjack toads can be found. It is therefore vital that we take action to help the Natterjack toads through the breeding season by preventing the ponds from drying out.

Natterjacks are described as being Europe's noisiest 

amphibian. On still, sunny evenings its chorus can be heard 

over several kilometres.

Be sure to check back in a couple of months to see how successful our rescue mission has been.

Please note

As a European protected species, under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, schedule 2 and 5, it is an offence to capture, possess, disturb, kill, injure, or trade individuals of this species. It is also an offence to destroy the places they use for breeding or resting. Therefore we ask you to stick to the paths, tread carefully and enjoy listening to these charismatic noisy amphibians. Please do not go off to look for toads in the dunes, pools, and fields or enter any pools (including dogs) as this can cause disturbance.

Jonathan Holt
Warden 

World Oceans Day at Holkham

World Oceans Day is a celebration of the beauty and importance that the ocean provides in everyone’s life. When people think of the ocean their minds turn too the coral reefs, vast sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of the far away Mediterranean or tropical waters and think the UK coast is a cold grey mass devoid of life. This could not be further from the truth. The seas around the UK have the potential to be among the most productive and wildlife-rich on Earth. From gentle giants like basking sharks to the beautiful colours of sea slugs the seas around Britain are full of fascinating and wonderful surprises.

Holkham Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand and shingle 

spanning  8 miles.

Sometimes these natural treasures are washed up onto our shores. They can be simple shells and sometimes they can be a 1 tonne sunfish, like the ones which came onshore on the Norfolk coast this January.

But the oceans are under threat from the growing wave of plastics that are discarded into the sea each year. Most plastics never really ‘go way’ they simply break down into smaller and smaller pieces.  On average there are is a staggering 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in every square mile of ocean! Huge whales, cliff nesting Fulmars and even the fish we eat are digesting these fragments of plastics which can cause starvation as they fill up the animal’s stomach or they become entangled causing great discomfort and even death. Luckily we can all do something about this! By picking up litter when you visit the beach you can save wildlife and make the beach a better place for everyone.

A Grey seal at Blakeney Point with a Frisbee tight 

around its neck.

So how can you celebrate this auspicious date? How can you show your appreciation for the ocean?

Well, by beachcombing of course! It’s a great activity for all the family.

From the car park at Lady Anne’s Drive, it’s a short walk down the boardwalk to the beach. Be treated to some stunning views of Holkham Gap and North Sea. The best shells are found along the high tide line where it’s a little shingly.

There are many beautiful things to be found in the tide line. 

Like this lovely pebble!

Remember check the tide table and the weather and remember to wash your hands afterwards.

To identify your finds and find out more about them print out the spotter sheet below!

You can download it: HERE

Happy World Oceans Day!

Jonathan Holt
Warden

Recent Sightings - May 2015

The rain has just started to patter down on office windows here on the North Norfolk Coast, our first proper rainfall in months. While many holiday makers will be cursing their misfortune I am counting my lucky stars. The Natterjack Ponds need filling up!

Watching the sheets of rain sweeping over Norton is 
always impressive.

The hot summer weather has brought the reserve to life with the ‘swishing’ of leaves, the ‘buzzing’ of insects, the ‘bark’ of natterjacks, the ‘chirp’ of new life and the surprised ‘skwark!’ of ducklings before they are eaten by a Harrier. Overy is currently my favourite part of the reserve, not only can you hear the boom of Bittern and the call of a Cuckoo but also the growl of the Natterjacks, what a cacophony!

AAARRRRRR! Shiver me-timbers! Some Dutch pirates 
sighted off the Beach.

The waders have been very slow this year by Holkham standards; 28 Dunlin, 11 Ruff, 45 Avocets, 6 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 100 Sanderlings, 10 Little Ringed Plover and an impressive flock of 450 Black-tailed godwits. The wader list was further added to by Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and a Temmick Stint which could be seen on the grazing marsh’s.

Black-tailed godwits feast on insects, worms and snails, 
but also some beetles, grasshoppers and other small 
insects found in the long grass of the grazing marsh.

While the Citril Finch caused much excitement at the west end of the pine woods there has been relatively few rarities present on the reserve this month. Also the number of migrants has been way down compared to previous years. Despite this Holkham NNR can still boast continued sightings of Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Crossbill, Yellow Hammer and our ever present Spoonbills all from the Hides.

Seeing Spoonbills never gets boring!

And now the good news!

This month started in style for our birds of prey with the sighting of not 1 but 2 Little Owl territories on the edge of the reserve this is the first time since 1980s. Not only that but this year’s first Osprey was seen the same day! Our birds of prey tally for this year now stands at 15 species with Merlin and Monty Harrier sightings remaining elusive.

Its great to see the little owls back after so long.

 It just goes to show how our continuing work on 
the reserve is paying off.

At Overy and Norton the warblers (Sedge, Willow, Grasshopper and Cetti’s) which started the month with such gusto have quietened down as they start nesting however there are still Lesser Whitethroat’s singing, plenty of Whitethroats, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Wheatear and Whinchat. Also keep an ear out for our 5 Cuckoos in the pine woods and marshes.

Always check the fence posts at Holkham. Lots of birds 
perch on then from Barn Owls too this Whinchat

While the birds might be slow this year the insects have certainly had a great spring!  A Bedstraw Hawk Moth kicked the summer off in style followed closely by Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue and Small Copper and my personal favourite Orange-tip butterfly but it was the Broad-boarded Bee Hawk-Moth that really impressed.

Broad-boarded Bee Hawk-Moth look like little 
hummingbirds feeding from the flowers.

Harder to see but just as rewarding, the Damselfly and Dragonfly’s have just started to emerge from reedy areas. The Four-Spotted Chaser was the first to be seen. Look out for Blue Tail and Azure Damselfly’s fliting through the vegetation. It looks like it’s going to be a successful year for these strange but wonderful creatures.

Look out for areas of ermine moth caterpillars which cover 

large areas in thick cobwebs, gross and fascinating!

The best place to see these colourful pieces of summer is around Meals House as well as Holkham Dunes on a warm windless day. Broad Boarded Bee Hawk Moths are particularly difficult to see but with a keen eye and a little patience you’re bound to see something interesting.

Happy birding!

Jonathan Holt

Warden

Nesting Birds on Holkham Beach

It is the season when birds of all shapes and sizes from the magnificent Red Kites to the smallest Treecreeper are beginning to build nests and lay eggs. While Holkham National Nature Reserve provides ideal habitat and protection for these birds some need even more help. Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and Terns all nest on the beach where they are very vulnerable to disturbance and high tides. While many visitors come to the reserve to enjoy the breath taking expanse of beach and picnic, walk the dog, ride their horse or explore the coastline care must be taken to avoid disturbing these birds at this important time.

Oystercatchers make a shallow scrap in the sand and 

shingle in which to lay their eggs.

For many species Holkham offers one of the few unspoilt habitats left in the UK for these birds to breed. To protect them, the Holkham warden team search for nests and set up large enclosures around the nesting birds as any disturbance may cause the birds to abandon their eggs.

Birds which nest on the shingle often have very well

 camouflaged eggs. It is very easy to accidentally crush them.

You can easily help by keeping your dog under effective control during the bird breeding season (1^st March – 31^st July) and from stopping your dog(s) from entering any of the enclosed areas.

Jonathan Holt

Holkham Warden

How to spot a Water Vole

While everyone was enjoying the summer sun this weekend I was attending a Water Vole identification workshop in Cambridge. Why was this course so important? Well, here at Holkham NNR we are in the process of recording and surveying the Water Vole population. This is very important because since the 1970s there has been a 90% decline in Water Voles and they are now considered one of the most endangered and fastest declining wild mammals in the UK. They are threatened by habitat loss and particularly from predation by the introduced American Mink.

As part of the course we searched under

 bridges in the area looking for signs of Mink, 
Otter and Water Vole

Water Voles are very secretive, so the best way to find them is to look for signs of activity – feeding stations, latrines, burrows, footprints and paths.

Feeding stations – These can be spotted by the ‘lawn’ effect. They are most noticeable in summer when reeds, sedges and neatly chopped grasses, often cut at a characteristic 45 degree angle, can be seen at a few selected places close to burrow entrances. Water Voles need to eat 80% of their body weight every day, so a lot of time is spent feeding!

Holkham has lots of dykes, ideal habitat for
 these little critters.

Latrines - As with all mammals (and some visitors to the reserve!) poo is an ever-present sign of activity. Latrines are often located a short distance from feeding stations and burrows and are also used to mark territory.

In summer Water Voles feed on green vegetation making

 their droppings greenish, but in winter when they eat bark, 

roots and other plant material so their droppings are brown.

Burrows – Water Voles burrow into banks and form extensive and complicated tunnel systems. These can be on several levels to minimise the risk of flooding and at least one entrance will be below the surface of the water, for a fast escape if needed. If you stand quietly, you might hear their distinctive ‘plop’ as they dive into the water.

Unlike rats, Water Voles don't leave loose soil in front of

 their burrows.

Footprints in soft mud - It takes a keen eye and a lot of practice to spot Water Vole footprints. Their forefeet leave a distinctive star-shaped footprint. A slow Water Vole is a dead Water Vole – these little animals have runways through bank side vegetation, which they use to avoid avian predators and in autumn to carry food to the burrows for winter.

Water Vole tracks are 20-25mm long.

Water Voles have poor eyesight but their whiskers pick up the slightest vibration. If you are trying to see them, remain quiet and very still near a suitable steep-sided dyke with plenty of vegetation, and if you are lucky you might see a Water Vole swim past you.

This is the best photo we have managed to get of the 

elusive creature! Can you do any better? 

The Water Vole is a much-loved creature and is often remembered as ‘Ratty' in Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book, The Wind in the Willows. With no mink on the reserve let’s hope Holkham NNR has a good population of Water Voles, I’ll keep you informed!

Happy Hunting

Jonathan Holt
Holkham Warden

The Rarest of Birds - Citril Finch

Yesterday marked a historic day for Holkham Nature Reserve Reserve as the rare Citril Finch was seen at Overy Dunes. First seen by Marcus Nash early on Sunday, news soon spread and well over a thousand people journeyed from every corner of the UK to see this European visitor. This is only the UK’s second sighting of this bird.

The Citril Finch displayed well for the hundreds 

of people who came to see it on Sunday.

Likely blown from northern Spain, across Biscay, Brittany and The Channel straight to Norfolk by the strong south easterly wind, this Alpine Finch is usually seen in the mountain pinewoods of the Pyrenees rather than the coastal dunes of Norfolk.

Last seen at 06:20 today (Monday 11/5/15), it is likely to have moved on, but our fingers are crossed for a reappearance!

Recent Sightings - April 2015

Birding this year at Holkham National Nature Reserve is amazing!

Spring is always an exciting time of year with winter visitors departing and summer migrants arriving and everyday is different.

Winter birds are defiantly taking their time departing, a late flock of up to 150 Pink-footed and a Bean Goose can still be found grazing in front of Jordan Hide most evenings. Up to 10 Ring Ouzels can be viewed in the sand dunes at Overy but they will soon be departing for their breeding grounds in Scotland. The distinctive ‘cue-cue-cue’ call of the Curlew can still be heard ringing around the reserve, but in a few weeks they will leave the reserve for their breeding grounds. However some birds are already departing, a flock of up to 40 Black-tailed Godwits have just left for their long journey to Iceland.

A lonely Bean Goose (centre right) surrounded by Pinkies.

More and more summer migrants continue to arrive day after day. Although showing only occasionally, I was lucky enough to see a Bittern from George Washington Hide - if you listen carefully you can hear its distinctive booming call most days. I also saw a Great White Egret haunting the dykes at Burnham Norton. It never ceases to amaze me how such a large, bright white bird can all but disappear in the reed beds!  Other summer migrants pouring in include Avocet, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Grasshopper Warblers and Whinchat and there are still more migrant species yet to arrive, however none will travel as far as the single rare Green Winged Teal that has crossed the Atlantic from North America.

A brief glimpse of the Great White Egret as it flies 

between dykes in search of food.

Not to be outdone our spectacular birds of prey have also put on a good showing this month with 12 species being seen. At Holkham NNR you can usually enjoy great views of Barn Owls, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Marsh Harriers, and Red Kites but it was the amazing displays of a male Kestrel, Peregrine and Rough Legged Buzzard at the beginning of the month that really made it special. During our surveying at Holkham NNR we were treated to a circling Hen Harrier and later the same day a Hobby hunting for large insects over the marshes. This shows why Holkham NNR is one of the best reserves in Britain for seeing these magnificent birds.

A rare sight of a Red Kite (above) locking talons with the

 Rough Legged (below) for air supremacy over Overy Dunes.

The warm spring sunshine has meant that the Orange Tip Butterfly and the Large Red Damselfly have made their fist appearances on site. You might think that in a reserve as large as Holkham NNR, small fauna might go un-noticed but this is not the case, only a few days ago Andy found a rare Steatoda albomaculata spider hidden amongst the sand dunes. Only found in a few places in the UK this was a real discovery! Most exciting of all however was the sighting of an Otter at Norton. We hope to get more sightings and therefore more information about these elusive creatures and maybe even a photo - watch this space!

Steatoda albomaculata is a False Widow. While not as

 venomous as their Black Widow counterparts they can still give a nasty bite!

And finally, this weekend we were lucky enough to see the rare White-tailed Sea Eagle riding the thermals right over Lady Ann’s Drive, giving visitors a fantastic view before flying north towards Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire. This was soon followed by a Black Kite, which was hunting over the George Washington Hide before flying west. With typical ‘warden luck’ I wasn't there to see either of them!

Unfortunately this photo of a White Tailed Eagle is not

 from Holkham NNR but it does provide a great view of these 
huge (over 8 feet wing span!) rare and majestic birds.

Thanks to Andy Bloomfield for these wonderful photos.

Happy birding!

Jonathan Holt

Warden