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HOLT ISLAND AGM Wed 24th July - read details here!
Pretty as a Peacock
You may have noticed clusters of these black, bristly caterpillars on Holt Island recently. These are the caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly – you may also see these beautiful butterflies in your garden. The females lays around 500 eggs, usually on nettles (which are plentiful on Holt Island), which the caterpillars also eat. When the caterpillars hatch – after about two weeks – they spin a web in which they live and feed as a community. As they grow they live more in the open. The adult butterflies emerge in July.
Did you know? The "eye spots" on the Peacock butterfly are used to scare off predators.
Musk Beetle in the meadow
We had a visit from a Brownie Pack this week and went on a bug hunt. We were absolutely delighted when sharp eyed members of the group spotted two Musk beetles as we searched. These long-horn beetles have very long antennae and can measure as much as 4cm! They are widespread but scarce throughout the UK, but wetlands like the Fens are where they are most often found, with the larvae living in the wood of willow trees.
Photo © Alison Gray
See Our Mute Swans
We've been bringing you regular updates from our swans' nest, and we're delighted to report that eight cygnets hatched on the 7th May!
Nigel Sprowell reports: "I have been monitoring our swans' nest since the end of March. It does take time to lay a clutch of eight very large eggs and she does have to leave the nest from time to time and when she does so, the eggs are covered in nesting material, making it difficult to be sure how many there are.
Once all the eggs have been laid, she sits tight to brood them as ideally they all need to hatch at the same time. This, on average, can take up to 34 days. During that time she can appear very lethargic and lonely, as her mate tends to stay away, which can give the impression she has been deserted. He does take turns to brood from time to time allowing her a break but in the main he keeps his distance. Recently this led to a member of the public expressing concern for the health our swan. However, regular monitoring and use of 24 hour surveillance cameras allayed any fears. In fact the male has been seen patrolling the end of the Waits by the main river. It is wonderful that people take so much interest in what is happening on our Island.
I am delighted to say that all 8 eggs hatched on 7th May, in line with the average incubation time. Despite being drenched the very next day, all the cygnets look very well and are now giving lots of enjoyment to the public as the proud mum, and occasionally dad, parade them up and down the river, retiring periodically to the nest for a rest and more photos!
I'm sure we all wish them well"
Please note that the grassy path is now open again. Thank you all for letting our swan family "nest in peace"!
Did you know? It takes 2-3 weeks to build a mute swan nest, which is a huge mound of material, normally dried grasses and assorted vegetation, sticks and rushes, constructed at the water's edge. The nest is built by the female, while the male supplies the materials. It takes around six weeks' incubation (sitting on the eggs) before the cygnets (young swans) hatch, and the cygnets stay with their parents for 4 - 5 months.
© Nigel Sprowell © Les Goodey
© Nigel Sprowell
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Holt Island is open from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays between April and October.
Visiting at other times between April - October is possible by obtaining the key from either One Leisure, St Ives or The Norris Museum. You will need to pay a returnable deposit of £20.
Holt Island 2019
24 Jul 2019 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Friends of Holt Island Nature Reserve - AGM
Holt Island Ringing - 12th July 2019
More Hidden Secrets of Holt Island
Holt Island Ringing - 27th June 2019
Holt Island Ringing - 3rd & 4th June 2019
Holt Island Ringing - 27th & 28th May 2019
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