The longest day on the 21^st June signalled the turn of the year in nature’s calendar. The nesting season draws rapidly to a close with only a few bird species attempting to complete their replacement or second broods e.g. Stover’s pair of nightjar, which lost their first clutch to predation -will attempt a replacement brood before they migrate back to Africa during Sept.

June was a very wet month with 136mm (5.5 inches). Minimum temperatures stayed in single figures between 26^th May and 2^nd June which resulted in a drop in food supply for nestlings. This resulted in the loss of many nest box broods such as blue tit and great tit.  Maximum temperature ranged from 15’C -25’C during June.

Coal tits bred slightly earlier and three broods fledged successfully from boxes in the car park and picnic areas. Many resident species successfully raised young as did some migrant species including chiffchaff (7 pairs) blackcaps and just the one pair of willow warbler. There have been no records of spotted flycatcher so far this summer

On the lake, the mute swans didn’t attempt a replacement clutch while the 2 pairs of great crested grebes had mixed success, but it looks like 2 young grebes will survive this season. One young coot and 4 moorhens have also made it to adulthood.

Moorhen with 2 juveniles

An unusually high number of wood mice, brown rats and grey squirrels were recorded but as mentioned in the April Newsletter, this bumper food supply helped 2 pairs of tawny owls raise 6 chicks (broods of 2 & 4) – it seems that tawny owls have done well generally this year in South Devon.

Other mammals recorded in June were otter, dormouse, roe deer (a female with 2 fawns) and good numbers of bats.

On 19^th June an adult black headed gull was seen over the lake – this is the earliest date of a returning BHGull - usually the first ones to return after the breeding season is around 27^th June onwards.  All of the mallards and other wildfowl will be undergoing their summer moult now – this results in them being flightless for a couple of weeks. You’ll probably notice that all of the drakes have lost their green heads and are now brown – this makes all of them look like female ducks and they are known to be in ‘eclipse’ plumage.  

Other sightings on the lake during June were a family of young kingfishers and an unusual sighting of a dipper on 16^th.

The appearance of 3 bee orchids in flowering among some common spotted orchids is welcome news as only 2 specimens have been recorded in the park prior to these in recent years.

Bee Orchid

July sees the start of the bird migration season as they begin moving south. The park will see the return of increasing numbers of black headed gulls as well as possible waders such as common sandpipers.

Despite the wet weather butterflies are trying their best to put in an appearance. White admirals appeared from 17^th June which is the earliest date for 11years and silver washed fritillaries were noted on 29^th June.  Marbled whites, large skipper, ringlets, meadow browns and scarlet tiger moths are also on the wing. Similarly dragonflies and damselflies are flying about when the weather permits.  Keeled & black tailed skimmers, common & southern hawkers have been seen as well as the red eyed damselflies, which are often seen on the lily pads from the lake path.

Many visitors will have noticed the loss of the large beech tree next to the inlet bridge. The beech came down on 25^th June at about 2pm causing damage to the hand rails as well as temporarily blocking the channel. Timber to replace the handrails has been ordered and repairs will be carried out when this arrives.

As always we would welcome any wildlife sightings, observations or photographs at the Interpretation centre. Several guided walks and children’s activities are planned for July – details can be found on posters throughout the park, at the centre or on the Stover website www.devon.gov.uk

Did you know you that you could visit Stover by Bus? The X38 and X39 bus services both pass Stover on the hour – For more information call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or pick up a timetable at the Interpretation centre.