Wildlife Sightings for 13th April 2023
2 Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank and Common Sandpiper. Wheatear on the Marsh. Reed Warblers singing from the reedbeds.
2 Little Ringed Plover - wader scrape
1 Peregrine - main lake
1 Redshank - marsh
1 Dunlin - main lake
1 Common Sandpiper - main lake
4 Willow Warbler - south route, wildside
1 Wheatear - marsh
3 Blackcap - south route, sheltered lagoon
5 Reed Warbler - singing in the reedbed, main lake, sheltered lagoon
4 House Martin - over main lake and marsh
50+ Sand Martin - over site
11 Chiffchaff - across the site
6 Reed Bunting - marsh, main lake, sheltered lagoon
Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker feeding around the site and holding territory. Blackbirds and Song Thrushes collecting earthworms among the growing wildflowers. Starlings nest building on the buildings and hides. Tits flitting between nests and feeding amongst fresh buds. Cetti's Warblers singing loud from most pond boundaries and hedgerows. Sand Martins feeding and sand martin bank very active with great viewing from the peacock tower and wader scrape hide. Three pairs of Great Crested Grebe (reservoir lagoon, main lake and sheltered lagoon). Our resident male Kestrel has taken to hunting over the reedbeds, often seen diving on and snapping up Viviparous Lizards. Sparrowhawks soar overhead before diving down and racing through the trees after prey.
Head for warm sunny spots in wildside and the sheltered lagoon for sightings of early butterflies. Comma and Small Tortoiseshell can be seen flitting around bramble and nettle patches, warming themselves in the spring sun. Brimstones and Small Whites may be seen in the last of the spring blossom, or else flying low through fresh green spring vegetation, looking for early wildflowers. We have also been spotting Peacock Butterflies and a few Red Admirals too.
