Today over the vista of rough grazing the pair of resident curlew were rising and falling, filling the air with their delicious bubbling calls. On the ground we enjoy another foraging visit by a hare, seeking tastier morsels in our garden than what’s available to it in the surrounding open farmland. With no dogs or cats about they keep closer company than usual as we are not perceived as a threat. The odd nibbling of daffodil and camassia foliage in the meadowland is overlooked for the pleasure of their company.
Another four legged wild visitor that grabbed the attention recently was a stoat. Its appearance, systematically quartering the boundary between garden and field, was mesmerising. Mustela erminea is differentiated from its weasel cousin in being larger, with a bounding gait and longer tail completed by a distinctive black tip. Though a fierce predator, tackling prey up to five times its size, the stoat in turn is predated by foxes and raptors. The creature’s handsome chestnut and cream body vanished for a few seconds in amongst the willow boughs that frame the ponds. I’d set them up there as over winter shelter for mice and amphibians and it was one of those creatures the stoat emerged with in its mouth – too small for me to identify at a distance, even with binoculars. It then bounded off at pace toward the crags, another rodent retreat in our field, the site of an abandoned stone quarry.
Two sets of grandchildren along with their parents were with us over Easter and the kids all love the pond. An excited dipping session netted a fine collection of male and female palmate newts along with sightings of mature frogs under marginal stones. Meanwhile Holly, the family’s young sprocker spaniel (cocker/springer mix) couldn’t stop herself from diving in and out of the wildlife ponds at every opportunity. The marsh marigold, newly flowering, was partly flattened but has quickly recovered since.
Moving pots and tubs at this time of year inevitably risks exposes hibernating residents. Best accidental discovery was an adolescent newt, appearing more dead than alive. Not the dark colour of those active creatures the children observed in the pond but instead this newt was a deep pink/red colour and the skin not smooth but bumpy. I quickly popped the inert form under another ceramic, returning an hour later to get a photograph only to discover it gone – so clearly not so torpid after all! The image above is the nearest I can find to represent its appearance.
Solitary bees are also emerging, weak and seeking nourishment, and one such staggering buff tail bumblebee I provided with a dash of sugar water to help it power up. But it managed without my help and later disappeared so I hope it survived in the cool damp weather we’ve been subjected to in recent weeks.
Tentatively raised the former compost bin top to check if the other known hibernating creature in our garden thinks it’s Spring yet. but no, the hedgehog is still tucked up inside its duvet of moss, leaves and accumulated vegetation. This improvised low shelter I placed in the copse near the water a few years ago but this is the first time it’s been occupied by a an overwintering hog, which is wonderful.
Back at the pond, after the families left, I noticed some shiny brown spots on a dead leaf by the margin. Closer inspection revealed these fleshy blobs to be both animate and elastic…Leeches. Segmented parasitic worms, with suckers either end. These fascinating tiny creatures are hermaphrodites and move by means of peristalsis; self-propulsion by alternately contracting and lengthening parts of their bodies, like earthworms do. Once common when used extensively in medical practice for bloodletting and controlling toxins there are 17 species to be found in UK freshwaters. Despite being an officially protected species since 1981 numbers have dropped drastically. Delighted to have them in residence here, part of the ponds healthy ecosystem, despite their otherwise unsettling reputation.
STEPHEN TOMLIN 