Recent Wildlife Sightings 1st - 7th June
Highlights: Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, Cuckoo, Barnacle Goose
Many birds have been busy guiding their young on their tentative first steps into the big wide world this week, all of whom were treated to the full array of British weather, including some very chilly mornings for this time of year.
Highlights: Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, Cuckoo, Barnacle Goose
The first Lapwing chicks of the year were seen from British Steel Hide on Tuesday, with a total of four seen foraging on the banks of Saline Lagoon. As the only nest we'd noted on site this year, we were very happy to see it has been a success. The fluffy chicks have been furiously defended by the adults whenever birds like Carrion Crow come too close. Look out for where they land after chasing away intruders for a chance to see the chicks running about.
As well as the first Lapwing chicks, we also spotted three Great Crested Grebe chicks hitching a ride on their parents' backs on Deep Water Lake. These young have a rather unusual appearance, with bold black and white stripes on their head and neck making them look like mini Zebras poking out from their parents' wings.
The iconic song of a male Cuckoo was a nice surprise to hear on our Breeding Bird Survey this week. Shortly after, this bird was seen chasing a female, cuckooing away in an attempt to impress his companion. The pair were quite mobile, being heard initially next to Swan's Nest Maze, but travelling all around the reedbeds and over to Deep Water Lake. The male has been favouring a dead tree near Swan's Nest Maze, so that's the best place to head for a chance to listen to him sing.
In Europe Pen, the nesting pair of feral Barnacle Goose hatched four goslings this week. Truly wild birds that migrate to breed in the arctic circle don't have great success with their young, mainly due to the fact they generally nest on cliffs and their goslings are initially unable to fly. Thankfully there aren't any cliffs in Europe Pen, nor any Arctic Foxes to predate them, so hopefully these goslings have better life prospects than their truly wild cousins!
Some late spring migrants are still passing through the reserve, with a Whimbrel reported from British Steel Hide at the weekend and a Lesser Whitethroat heard down Centre Path in Millennium Wetlands. Another male Garganey was spotted on Dafen Scrapes on Saturday, but was quite shy and spent much of its time hidden amongst the reeds. A Great White Egret dropped by on Saline Lagoon as well, hunting for fish in the shallow water, before continuing on its travels.
