Recent Sightings 11th-17th June
Highlights - Greenshank, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher and Teal
This weeks large high tides have seen more birds pushed off the estuary, increasing the number of wading birds on the reserve.
Large flocks of black-tailed godwit have regularly been seen on the Lagoon and Dafen scrapes, and good numbers of curlew were present out on the marsh at high tide. A couple of oystercatchers, a greenshank and some redshank were also seen on-site.
Numbers of Mediterranean gull have increased on the reserve this week, especially on the lagoon, with up to 31 seen at a time. A common gull was also spotted on the reserve.
Earlier in the week, an immature marsh harrier was spotted hunting over the reedbeds of the Millennium wetlands.
Duckling numbers on site are now reaching a high, with lots of gadwall, mallard, and shelduck ducklings visible across the reserve. Pochard, tufted duck, and teal ducklings can also be seen on Deep water lake.
The warm, sunny weather brought out a wide selection of butterflies, with twelve species spotted on the reserve, including both the large and small skipper, common blue and ringlet. The five-spot burnett, a day-flying moth, also made an appearance.
