Birds breeding across the reserve w/c May 25th 2020
From reed warblers to lapwings there are birds busy nesting and feeding young in all the different habitats on the SSSI at the end of May. Many more Dragonflies are on the wing, and the spring flowers are a blaze of colour everywhere you walk
1 pair Oystercatcher displaying - main lake
1 pair Redshank breeding - scrape
10 pairs Lapwing breeding - marsh, scrape, main lake
5 Shoveler - marsh, scrape
14 Pochard - reedbed, main lake, reservoir lagoon
2-3 pair Chiffchaff breeding - wildside, sheltered lagoon
60-65 pairs Reed Warbler breeding
8 pairs Sedge Warbler breeding
5 pairs Reed Bunting breeding
17 pairs Cetti's Warbler breeding
Amphibians: Marsh Frogs singing in wildside ponds, entrance lake
Reptiles: 31 slow worm, 6 grass snake (19th May transect).
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly (photo below), Emperor Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer (late-May).
Butterflies: Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip, Peacock, Small Tortoishell, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Holly Blue (photo below), Common Blue (May).
