Rare visitor ruffles a few feathers at Feckenham nature reserve (From Redditch Advertiser)

Rare visitor ruffles a few feathers at Feckenham nature reserve

11:58am Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in News

VISITORS to a nature reserve near Redditch were treated to a rare spectacle recently.

A Slavonian grebe spent two days at Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts’ Feckenham Wylde Moor reserve, four-and-a-half miles south of Redditch.

The grebe was spotted on Wednesday morning by reserve warden Paul Meers.

Paul said: “At first I couldn’t really believe that it could be a Slavonian grebe - it’s very rare and incredibly exciting to get one in Worcestershire; in fact we believe that this could be the first ever.

“I noticed that our resident coot was getting agitated and then it started to chase the grebe and dived on top of it to force it under the water.

“The grebe surfaced some distance away leaving the coot confused as to where it had gone. However, it had moved out of the coot’s territory so it was able to fish and feed in peace. It was diving constantly and most often came up with a stickleback.

“We were hoping that our rare visitor would stay around for a while as it seemed to be finding plenty of food. By Saturday morning, however, it had flown off.

“Having such an unusual bird here has certainly helped to put Feckenham Wylde Moor on the map – who knows what else will visit us this year.”

The birds normally winter on the coast and then move to breeding grounds in north Scotland from March onwards.

Feckenham Wylde Moor nature reserve is a remnant of an extensive marsh with a wide diversity of wildflowers and birds.

The underlying clays of the site support a surface layer of fen peat which is uncommon in Worcestershire.

The pools attract a range of birdlife and 17 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded.

A new viewing hide and interpretation were installed last year helping to improve the visitor experience to the reserve.

For more information about the work of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust or for visiting Feckenham Wylde Moor visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk.