Recent Sightings 17th-22nd April
Highlights: Garganey, Common Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler, Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Linnet
Freshwater Lagoon
On Friday mornings bird count a male Garganey was seen on the Lagoon, quite striking with the white eye-stripe, it was also seen on Thursday on Deep Water Lake Islands, and Saturday on the Western Scrapes. A Common Sandpiper was also seen on the Lagoon feeding along the islands on Friday and Saturday, the first sighting of both Garganey and Common Sandpiper here this year!
Millennium Wetlands
Spring is definitely here the flowers are in bloom and the bird song vibrant, a new song on Saturday morning was that of the Grasshopper Warbler along centre path, named after grasshoppers because of the shrilling noise they make which is very much alike to that of the insect. They join other migrant species found currently on the reserve: Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Reed Warbler.
The Willow tits have been seen around the Northern Loop this week with the female showing a brood patch, suggesting she is currently sitting on eggs! The Kingfishers on Deep Water Lake have been more elusive these past few weeks but have been seen around the artificial bank this week, it is likely they are nesting in the area, fingers crossed!
The Black-headed Gull colony are progressing nicely over on the Stony Islands of Deep Water Lake with almost 150 nests currently; in amongst them 14 Mediterranean Gulls have been seen, with 2 pairs currently nest building.
Birds of prey seen on the reserve this week include a Marsh Harrier flying over Deep Water Lake, a pair of Sparrowhawks showing nesting behaviour in the Northern Loop, and a Hen Harrier seen flying near the Salt Marsh.
Flowering plants such as Marsh Marigold, Herb Robert, Forget-me-not, and Hairy Bittercress are popping up around the reserve. On the Butterfly survey this week a total of 23 butterflies were seen with Brimstone, Small White, Orange tip, Comma and Speckled Wood present. Slow Worms and Grass Snakes were seen during this weeks reptile survey, alongside a Common Shrew taking shelter under the tins.
British Steel Hide
Friday mornings count saw a few hundred Black-tailed Godwits feeding at the far edge of the Saline Lagoon after high tide, in amongst them 2 Whimbrel were seen, very much like a Curlew but slightly smaller, with a dark crown on the head that has a pale strip in the middle and dark eye strips, it also has a smaller beak that is straighter at the base then curves at the tip. A pair of Spoonbills were seen resting on the Lagoon banks too.
Common Whitethroat have been seen and heard singing along the Salt Marsh this week. A pair of Linnets were spotted gathering nesting materials on the grass banks of Dafen Scrapes, also here the female Long-tailed Duck is continuing to reside with us!
