Wildlife sightings for 31st March 2017
1 Little Ringed Plover - main lake
5 Redshank - marsh, main lake
4 Shelduck - main lake, resr lagoon
1 Red Kite - over S
1 Little Egret - marsh
57 Redwing - flew over heading SW
14 Sand Martin - scrape
2 Swallow - over W
1 Willow Warbler - wildside
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.
