Wildlife sightings for 20th April 2017
1 Whitethroat - chasing Linnet away by Peacock Tower a.m.
1 Linnet (male) - singing by Peacock Tower a.m.
1 Ring Ouzel - scrape bank (E bank) along the hedgerow
3 Wheatear - marsh p.m.
1 Whinchat - marsh
2 Jack Snipe - marsh a.m.
3 Little Ringed Plover - main lake, scrape
8 Redshank - resr lagoon, main lake
4 Shelduck - reservoir lagoon
8 Reed Warbler - wildside, main lake, resr lagoon, sheltered lagoon
2 Sedge Warbler - main lake, reedbed
5 Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaff
1 Kingfisher - south route
3 Yellow Wagtail - scrape bank, plus 2 flew over marsh
12 Swallow - main lake
4 Snipe - marsh, main lake
April bird highlights: Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Buzzard, Shelduck, Jack Snipe, Little Egret, Peregrine, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Greenshank, Kingfisher, Bearded Tit, Wheatear, Firecrest, Redstart, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat, House Martin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Ring Ouzel, Linnet, Whitethroat.
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.
