Wildlife sightings for 5th May 2018
2 Common Tern
1 Buzzard - over NW
2 Sparrowhawk (pair) - displaying over wildside
2 Red Kite - over W
1 Teal (male) - scrape
1 Shelduck - scrape
1 Common Sandpiper - main lake
4 Redshank - scrape
1 Whitethroat - scrape bank (NE corner)
2 Yellow Wagtail - flew NE over wildside
11 Reed Bunting - reedbed, south route
April/May bird highlights: Goldeneye, Jack Snipe, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover, Glaucous Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard, Redstart, Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit, Nightingale, Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler.
The grazing marsh is attracting regular migrants like Wheatear, Whinchat, Swallow and Yellow Wagtail. Common Terns have returned and are looking for a nesting site. Several pairs of Lapwing are nesting on the marsh and scrape. The reedbeds are full of singing Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler. Look for breeding and passage warblers like Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap in the woodland and scrub areas.
Flowering plants: (April-May) Ragged Robin, Marsh Marigold, Cuckoo-flower, Rowan, Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, Bulbous Buttercup, Thale Cress, Hairy Bittercress, Common Whitlowgrass, Parsley-piert, Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry, Cowslip, Cow Parsley, Primrose, Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill, Gorse, Petty Spurge, Mediterranean Spurge, Common Field Speedwell, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Sweet Violet, White and Red Dead-nettle, Dandelion, Groundsel, Colt’s-foot, Butterbur, Garden Grape Hyacinth, Fritillary, Wild Daffodil, Grey Willow, Goat Willow, Purple Willow, White Willow, Crack-willow, Osier, Black Poplar, Aspen, Silver Birch, Field Wood-rush, Annual Meadow-grass.
Amphibians: Marsh Frogs calling most sunny days in May - entrance lake, wildside and south route ponds and pools.
Butterflies/Moths: Red Admiral, Small Tortoishell, Peacock, Brimstone, Comma, Large White, Small White, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Chocolate Tip.
Other insects: Bee-fly, European Orchard Bee (Seen mating April 5th. First record for UK), Early Mining Bee, Clark’s Mining Bee, Red-tailed Bumblebee.
Reptiles: 94 Slow Worms (50 juveniles, 27 females, 17 males) recorded on the reptile transect 5th May.
