Recent Sightings 9th-15th July
Highlights: Kingfishers, Ruff, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover Chicks
Salt Marsh and Dafen Scrapes
A Ruff was briefly seen from the British Steel Hide on the Saline Lagoon Monday, whilst a Whimbrel was seen here on Friday. A Fox was seen on Dafen Scrapes Saturday morning, it looked to be on the hunt.
Freshwater Lagoon
The two Little Ringed Plover chicks are continuing to thrive here on the Lagoon islands, they were observed taking shelter from the rain under the parents wings on Saturday morning, the juveniles are almost as big as the adults now and are expected to fledge soon; they have also been joined by a fledged juvenile this week that has been sighted close by.
Millennium Wetlands
Kingfishers have been sighted regular this past week with some perching just in front of the Sir Peter Scott Hide; and the breeding adults observed frequently taking fish back to the burrow to feed the young, seen from the fishing platform in the Northern Loop. The Sand Martins, House Martins, Swallows and Swifts have also been putting on a display lately feeding over Deep Water Lake, usually with the Swifts flying high and the others just skimming the water in pursuit of insects to feed upon; their acrobatic performances are always a delite to see!
There are plenty of wildflowers to see on the reserve with Fleabane and Purple-loosestrife adding lots of colour to the mix at the moment, and attracting many insects, including bumblebees and butterflies.
Work this week on the reserve has included maintenance work on Swan's Nest Maze to keep the willow in check; clearing of the Eastern Scrapes channels ready for the canoe safaris to commence on the 22nd July; and the Walk with the Warden event on Saturday which saw a few brave souls don waterproof coats to join us in search of reptiles and butterflies.
