Wildlife sightings for 8th May 2017
1 Oystercatcher - main lake
2 Little Ringed Plover - main lake
1 Greenshank - main lake
1 Common Sandpiper - reservoir lagoon p.m.
7 Yellow Wagtail - grazing marsh N bund
2 Common Tern - main lake
1 Shelduck - reservoir lagoon
24 House Martin - main lake
16 Swallow - main lake
2 Common Whitethroat - wader scrape, entrance area
1 Wigeon - grazing marsh
May bird highlights: Wood Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Whinchat, Oystercatcher, Greenshank, 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 on site with Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, and Wheatear just some of the Spring arrivals recorded so far. 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 using the artificial nest bank of the wader scrape have already reached over 60 occupied nest holes, containing 160 eggs and 65 chicks at the beginning of May.
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.
