Glossy Ibis and great white egret drop in
SUNDAY had a lovely sunny start with hints of spring in the air. During my morning walk around the reserve I heard chiffchaff singing at various points on the paths and a mistle thrush, robin and chaffinch joining in as well. I spotted another redshank. It’s the time of year when all birds are looking for nesting sites so the large number of redshank sightings this spring raises my hopes that a pair will breed here once more.
Two lapwing are now incubating eggs and can be seen on nests from the Lapwing hide windows with some patience and a pair of binoculars. The rest of the lapwing are continuing their loopy display flights against today’s blue sky.
At the Reedbed hide I spotted a pair of teal, 3 reed bunting, 2 water rail, 1 snipe, Cettis warbler and a goldcrest. On the islands near the Ramsar hide we had 6 Mediterranean gulls amongst the black headed gulls. Gull numbers are dropping from winter highs of 500 hundred last month to a hundred or so as the gulls begin finding nesting spots offsite. Gull numbers are dropping from winter highs of 500 hundred last month to a hundred or so as the gulls begin finding nesting spots offsite. A group of 5-6 little egrets have been roosting overnight near the Ramsar hide. On the waters here we have seen shoveler, gadwall, shelduck, teal, pochard and tufted duck.
The weekend was a contrast to Friday when the sleet and grey skies made seem like winter was beginning not ending. Large flocks of Canada and greylag geese and a huddle of lapwing made it seem more like December not April!
On Monday morning I watched the glossy ibis fly over the reserve. He has been making appearances here and at RSPB Pulborough over the past week. I was thrilled to see a great white egret come in this morning over the far end of the reserve.
We now have two pairs of oyestercatchers near the Sand Martin hides. Both pairs are displaying with lots of territory staking behaviour, with each trying to take the best nesting spot on the gravel islands.
We have had more mallard ducklings roaming the reserve but they are having a struggle this spring. The cold weather has inhibited the insect population, a vital form of protein for the young ducks.
