Wildlife sightings for 7th May 2017
5 Common Sandpiper - main lake, reservoir lagoon, sheltered lagoon
1 Ringed Plover - main lake
2 Little Ringed Plover - main lake
1 Dunlin - main lake
6 Yellow Wagtail - grazing marsh
3 Common Tern - main lake
2 Shelduck - reservoir lagoon
25+ House Martin - site count
25+ Swallow - site count
50+ Swift - site count
1 Peregrine - perched on hospital ledge
May bird highlights: Wood Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Whinchat, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Shelduck, Jack Snipe, Peregrine, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Barnacle Goose, Wheatear, Kingfisher, Swallow, House Martin, Ringed Plover, Ring Ouzel, Caspian Gull, 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.
