Whats Slow this Year
With the floods affecting the River this Year it is worth pointing out what species have been slow to recover
Based on 17 years survey return Caddisflies have been a slow starter this year although we have yet to look at returns from light traps
Also affected appear to be the slow start to the solitary Bee Populations with a number of species down - many solitary bees and wasps use the river embankment to create burrows
The impact of flooding on the Swan Mussells has been masked by the Dreding events in the canal
We shall be addding to the post on the basis of records as they come in and doing a year on year comparison
Intervention Concerns
Tree removal bordering the Spaghnum Bog was never a good idea near open expanse bordering the Pixie Wood is suffering sun scorch and many of the Mosses Lichens ( inc some of the harder to find Cladonias ) and Haircaps on Stumps are in the process of being lost paricularly with the action of the underlying fly ash channels which have shifted with water influx being unimpeded by any rooting vegetation and made there way through the stabilising root bases . The value of Willow carr in preserving relative Ground Humidity has been emphasised . Loss of Damp Habitat also means impact on the Amphibian population. Much of the surface spagnums have been affected by the cement like dust and scum on the water surface. In this area there has been a much reduced Amphibian Count bearing in mind Toads will attempt to make there way to their historic breeding sites This appraisal reinforces the concept that the reserve needs sensitive management . Based on 10 seasonal years record the Willow Warblers that usual stage in this area are down or absent full report to follow.
