Sightings

The warblers have made their way back from as far south as southern Africa. We’ve had sedge and willow warblers joining the cetti’s warbler on the reedbed. Chiffchaffs have been singing from the trees along catty bank and in front of Janet Kear. A pair of blackcaps have been heard and seen from Kingfisher hide.

Woodend marsh has been busy with waders. 2 ringed plovers and two little ringed plovers have been seen this week. There were 30 black tailed godwit, 6 redshank and 5 ruff there this morning. The avocets can be seen on Woodend, but also on the mere and on Vinsions and Sunleys; oystercatchers are similarly spread across the reserve.

Kingfisher hide has seen some great passerine action this week. A yellowhammer was spotted there today. 2 treesparrows and a bullfinch were seen there on Tuesday.

Wheaters have been seen in the fields this week.

Swallows and sand martins have been seen flying over the reedbed.

Hares have been seen chasing and boxing from Ron Barker hide. A weasel has been seen from Gordon Taylor.

Along with springs exciting gains comes some sad losses. Pink footed geese numbers were only around 500 and whooper swans around 20 on our roost count this week. A large flock of pink feet were seen heading north today, presumably on their way to Iceland. Around a 100 of them dropped down for a break and a feed on Plover field. This could be your last chance to see them till next autumn.

A barn owl was seen right in front of Ron Barker this morning. A peregrine falcon was seen taking a teal near Ron Barker on Tuesday. Kestrels can still be seen across the reserve, along with marsh harriers though they seem to have spread out for breeding season.

Two Mediterranean gulls were flying above the duckery this afternoon and a juvenile common gull was seen on Woodend amongst the black headed gulls this week.