Recent Sightings (26th-27th July)
British Steel Hide
Counts from the British Steel Hide have included 46 Greenshank, 2 Spoonbills (27th), 85 Redshank, 13 Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank (winter plumage, 27th), a 1st-summer Yellow-legged Gull (26th), 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Gull, 27 Cormorants, c.450 Black-tailed Godwits and c.20 Pied Wagtails.
Millennium Wetlands
On the evening of the 26th, 111 Little Egrets roosted around Deep Water Lake. A huge post-roost flock of hirundines consisting of 1100+ Swallows, 300+ Sand Martins and a few House Martins swarmed over the reedbeds on Thursday evening. A stunning summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank dropped onto Deep Water Lake briefly on the 26th, before quickly relocating to the saline lagoons. 9 Knot joined the Black-tailed Godwit flock on Deep Water Lake. 35 Teal, 19 Coot and a Pochard have been seen on the reserve. An incredible arrival of Garden Warblers was made apparent on the 26th, when 6 were caught during bird ringing operations on the reserve. Subsequently, at least 7 more individuals have been seen on the reserve and grounds. Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Treecreepers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs have been seen in good numbers in the roving tit flocks on the reserve.
Other Wildlife
A moth trap was set on the 26th, but a bit of overnight rain effected the catch. A few moths were still caught however including, Magpie, Campion, Oak Eggar, Drinker, Latticed Heath, Sallow Kitten, Coxcomb Prominent, Pale Prominent, Canary-shoulder Thorn, Yellow-tail, Buff Arches and Gold-spot.
