Wildlife sightings for 15th April 2017
2 Ringed Plover - main lake
1 Little Ringed Plover - main lake
1 Common Sandpiper - reservoir lagoon
9 Redshank - grazing marsh, main lake, reservoir lagoon
2 Shelduck - wader scrape
1 Glaucous Gull - main lake
1 Kingfisher - wildside
40+ Sand Martin - wader scrape, main lake
4 House Martin - main lake
3 Swallow - grazing marsh
5 Willow Warbler - wildside, sheltered lagoon, West route
March bird highlights: Bittern, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Gull, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Shelduck, Jack Snipe, Garganey, Little Egret, Peregrine, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, Kingfisher, Bearded Tit, Wheatear, Firecrest, Black Redstart.
Spring birds have arrived with Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, House Martin, Wheatear and Little Ringed Plover all recorded during March. Lapwing and Redshank have territories across the marsh, which is still drawing in large numbers of Gull including a few regular Caspian and Yellow-legged. Migrant Chats, Pipits and possible Ring Ouzel can be searched for along the fence lines and short-grazed grass on the marsh and wader scrape bank. Sand Martin numbers have reached 20+ at the end of the month, already going in and out of the nesting holes on the south shore of the scrape. At least one pair of Shelduck continue to inspect some of the nest boxes on the main lake and reservoir lagoon. Expect the first Yellow Wagtails and Reed, Sedge and Garden Warblers in early April
Butterlies and other insects: Red Admiral (24th Feb), Brimstone (7th March), Holly Blue (27th March), Speckled Wood, Small White, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoishell (all 15th March); Buff-tailed Bumblebees on the wing early March, Red Mason Bees collecting mud, plus many other Bumblebee species late March into April.
Reptiles: Grass Snake juvenile seen in wildside 5th March; 2 Common Lizards seen along south route 7th March.
Water Voles: Most activity early March in wildside ponds.
Flowering plants: Primrose, Sweet Violet, Chickweed, Lungwort, Coltsfoot, Butcher’s Broom, Wild Daffodil, Blackthorn, Wild Plum, Hazel, Marsh Marigold, Silver Birch, Red Dead-nettle.
