What's About December 2008

Birds

Bullfinch
There have been regular sightings around the lagoon and car park this month.

Chiffchaff
One or two birds are over-wintering on the reserve. There is a good chance of sightings on the willow path throughout December.

Gadwall
Up to 20 daily on the lagoon and duck marsh.

Goldcrest
Regular sightings on the willow path this month with up to 5 birds reported.

Goosander
Birds are now coming onto the lagoon later in the day. Up to 22 have been reported this month. There are also daily sightings on the river.

Jack Snipe
One was on the duck marsh on 14th.

Lapwing
Up to 70 have been reported on the adjacent farmland.

Little Grebe
There are still one or two birds on the lagoon this month.

Pochard
5 have been seen on the lagoon since 13th.

Snipe
There have been a few birds on the duck marsh and lagoon most days.

Teal
Seen daily on the duck marsh and wet grassland with up to 42 birds reported. Numbers should continue to rise this month.

Tufted Duck
Up to 30 birds on the lagoon daily this month.

Water Rail
A bit elusive at the moment but there are at least 2 birds on the reedbed.

Wigeon
Numbers are fluctuating at the moment with just the odd bird some days.

Butterflies

This chart shows when the various species were seen on the reserve in 2008.

Dragonflys

This chart shows when the various species were seen on the reserve in 2008.

During the course of the year work has been on-going on Phase 2 of the dragonfly area. Due to the wet summer there have been delays but it is hoped that the work will be complete by the Spring. At the moment (December) it looks a bit like a building site but some of the paths have already been turfed and Tim's path on the north side is being raised so that it can be used throughout the year - it has often been flooded through much of the Winter. The long (45m) ditch, complete with bridge, and a large pond are now complete and the large marshy area has been lined and is approaching completion. This last comprises six areas of open water surrounded by marsh and will be planted out in the Spring. Three more ponds are in the process of construction. The final stage will be to complete the bund on the river side of the area and to plant hedging around the other three sides, leaving just two access points - one on the south side, the other on the north. We are grateful to WREN, the Big Lottery Fund,The Friends of Rodley NR, the Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society, The British Dargonfly Society and the Coop for providing the funding that has made this all possible.

There is proof of breeding (i.e. finding exuviae - or the skins from emerged nymphs) over the last three years for seven species - The Azure Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies, the Brown & Southern Hawkers, The Emperor Dragonfly, the Broad-bodied Chaser and the Common Darter. Two others, the Large Red and Common Blue Damselflies are almost certainly breeding and possibly also the Migrant Hawker. It is also likely that the Banded Demoiselle is breeding in the river adjacent to the reserve. It is hoped that the provision of more varied habitats in Phase 2 will encourage even more species to breed on the reserve.

Apart from encouraging dragonflies to the reserve, the dragonfly area is providing suitable habitat for other animals, such as amphibians and small mammals, by establishing log and stone piles; also there is an insect hibernation tower adjacent to the Chadwick Pond.