Lymm Golf Club Wildlife Synopsis for 2009
The earliest report of interest this year was from the ever observant Steve Mooney in early January, informing me of a pair of Peregrine Falcons displaying above the 14th fairway. This display consists of aerial acrobatics, which is a fascinating sight carried out by two magnificent birds of prey.
The usual nesting sites for Peregrines are on cliff faces, but recently there have been reports of birds using man made sites of similar terrain, such as the sides of cooling towers and cathedral spires, so it is not surprising that these two bred on the Thelwall Viaduct producing two healthy chicks. The preferred food source is Pigeon and as there is a good population of Feral Pigeons on the viaduct, food would appear to be readily available.
Beryl
Boucher told me of two Stonechats at the side of the drive in February, which is the second
year in succession these lovely black-headed, reddish-brown bodied birds
have been seen at this time of the year, suggesting that they are migratory
birds moving through.
Whilst inspecting the nesting boxes on February 12th
I was surprised to find
three Great Tit eggs in a
properly made nest: the nest must have been built in early February and eggs
laid shortly after because all the nest boxes had been cleaned out in
November of the previous year. If you remember, the winter was quite cold
but the early January weather was relatively mild which may have triggered
an egg laying mood. Needless to say these eggs did not hatch and no more
eggs were laid in that box after the originals had been removed weeks later.
The first Swallows
were seen on April 2nd which was not the best time to arrive
as the weather was rather wet & windy which would make feeding difficult
for these insect eating birds.
Barbara Hughes reported the first nest, which was a Wren’s
nest in the ivy that surrounds a dead stump to left of the path from the
18th tee.
The nest box scheme this year was very successful
compared with last year’s disaster: the weather was good when all the
young chicks had hatched and the parent birds managed to find plenty of
caterpillars and insects.
In June the chicks had grown and parents were in full
swing trying to keep them supplied with food: they need as much help as
possible and this is where we can play our part. As golf course owners we
are responsible for protecting the countryside and its inhabitants, so there
is no reason at all why we cannot manage the course in an environmentally
friendly way as long as it does not impinge upon the enjoyment of members’
golf. The rough is managed perfectly where we have a lovely sward of waving
red fescue grasses on the top nine holes, which is very important for
butterflies such as Gatekeeper,
Meadow Brown, and Small &
Large Skipper. It is also good for providing habitat for voles and
beetles, which again provide food for certain birds, and as these grasses
are thin and wispy in most places, it does not
spoil the enjoyment of the average golfer - in fact I believe it enhances
the aesthetic value of the course.
We should also be trying to establish small wild flower areas away from the playing areas, which again provide colour and beauty on the course as well as attracting insects and providing habitat for butterflies which are on the decline in this country.
It must be pleasing for us all to know that Stuart is trying to manage the course firstly for us as golfers to enjoy, but also in an enlightened wildlife-friendly manner.
The following is a list of the nest box scheme results.
Nest box position for
2009 and broods
Inspected Late April 2009
No1. On Green keepers shed. There are six boxes designed to encourage House Sparrows but only one was occupied by a family of Great Tits
No2. Tree left of 10th Fairway. This is an old box with no facility for observation, but had a family of Great Tits
No3. Left of 10th Tee above Halfway house. 5 Great Tits
No4. Right of 10th Tee. No nest built
No5. Right of 9th green. This had three eggs in February, which was too early so they did not hatch, but no eggs were laid after this.
No6. Left of 9th Tee. Designed for Tree creepers. On May 26th an adult Great Tit was sitting on 5 eggs. Either a late brood or possibly a second brood.
No7. Copse between 6th & 7th Fairway. 10 Blue Tits
No8. Approach to 12th Tee.
9 Blue Tits
No9. Between 15th & 16th
Fairway. 7
Great Tits
No10. East side of clubhouse. No nest built.
No11. Right of 2nd green. The hole was slightly larger than normal and the brood of six Blue Tits was eaten by Grey Squirrels. This will be rectified before next season.
No12. Left of 8th green. 9
Blue Tits
No 13. Left of 4th Fairway. There was a brood of Blue Tits but had left the nest before the survey
No14. Missing
No15. Copse Right of 18th Fairway. 4 Great Tits survived, but there were two dead in the nest.
Other records:-
Two Pheasant broods hatched, one to the right of 16th Fairway (cover now cut down) which produced eight young, and the other also of eight was to left of 9th tee.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker managed to find a tree at the back of the 10th tee to produce two noisy youngsters.
A Blackbird had a nest to the right of the drive near the barrier but I don’t know how successful it was.
A Blackcap constructed a wonderfully neat nest to the left of the 3rd green where three young were observed. Blackcaps are beautiful songsters reminiscent of a Nightingale and particularly like thick cover, which is why you can always hear them singing in the scrub area to the left of the 9th green. It is very important to keep this area in its natural state, as it is attractive to many birds, particularly Water Rail, which I have heard on several occasions.
The Great Tits again had a nest in the brick vent next to the Secretary’s office door for the 12th year in succession.
The most inventive birds were a pair of Coal Tits which nested in the pipe duct of the air conditioning unit to the locker room.
As usual the Greenfinches nested in the conifers on the practice putting green.
Brian Ankers
August 2009