Biodiversity at Gilestone Farm
After our last news item of 29/6 describing an eventful week, things have quietened down somewhat. However, due to there being no breeding this year and therefore no continuous occupation of the nest, there were many other casual visitors to this bundle of dead sticks in an oak tree. Just inquisitiveness for most, but also a useful perch and lookout as well as an opportunity to scavenge any fish left-overs in the short-term absences of the ospreys. Apart from the regular visits by jackdaws breeding below the nest, visitors included grey squirrel, carrion crow, stock doves, spotted flycatcher and a hobby. The latter, a small hawk that visits the UK in summer has bred at low density in the Usk Valley for the last 25 years showing a steady northward extension in its range, while the osprey shows a south-bound extension in its breeding range in the UK. Hobbies have been attracted to Gilestone Farm by the abundance of prey such as dragonflies and sand martins along the river.
Hobby
Stock Dove
Spotted Flycatcher
Usk Valley Ospreys in their meetings with Welsh Government (as landowner) have been keen to impress that the valley is rich in biodiversity which should be recognised regarding future management decisions.
‘Our’ resident pair
Returning to ospreys, an ‘intruder’ bird was present again on 30th June and 1st July as observed by our towpath Watchers. On both occasions it was duly ushered out of the valley by one or both of the resident pair (pic above). The nest being left apparently empty – on one occasion this week for 32 hours - acts as an invitation to visiting ospreys to check it out, but in reality one of ‘our’ birds is still likely to be on ‘watch’ as has been confirmed on several occasions this summer by reports from towpath Watchers even though no activity can be viewed on the nest-cam. During their presence around the nest, our pair continued with their regular chores such as bringing in further sticks and soft nest lining, fish for the female as well as keeping guard from the nest itself.
An increase in agricultural activity this week through tractors mowing, baling and bale-carrying has not deterred the pair. Assuming this pair will return to breed in 2025 this familiarisation with local agricultural activity will serve them well.