First Garden Warbler and Whitethroat of the spring

20 April 2019

Wader scrape hide area great for Warblers this morning, while on the marsh there's Little Ringed Plover, Garganey and Wheatear

2 Garganey - marsh

2 Little Ringed Plover - marsh

1 Wheatear - marsh

2 Mediterranean Gull - over NE

2 Shelduck - scrape

3 Redshank - marsh, scrape

10 Wigeon - marsh, scrape

1 Garden Warbler - near wader scrape hide

1 Whitethroat - near wader scrape hide

7 Sedge Warbler - main lake, reservoir lagoon, reedbed, main lake, south route

10+ Reed Warbler - south route, sheltered lagoon, wildside, reedbed, main lake

1 Willow Warbler - sheltered lagoon

3 Chiffchaff - sheltered lagoon, wildside

12+ Blackcap

April bird highlights: Shelduck, Garganey, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Kingfisher, Dunlin (see photo below), Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine, Kestrel, Iceland Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Water Pipit..

Spring migrant passerines recorded so far include Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, House Martin, Skylark, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Wheatear. Keep an eye on the steep, grassy East Bank for more Ring Ouzel this month.

Migrant waders can best be found on the muddy marsh or edges of the wader scrape islands. Look out for interesting Gull species like Iceland, Little or Mediterranean on the marsh or main lake. There are still a few Snipe to be found on the marsh, and even some Jack Snipe in early April (the wader scrape is the best spot for this species). As April progresses expect to see a whole range of waders passing through, including Godwits, Sandpipers and Whimbrel.

Good numbers of hirundines are feeding over the larger waterbodies on migration, especially on overcast days.

Insects: (mid-April) Honey Bee, Rose Chafer, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Early Bumblebee, Brimstone, Comma, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Orange Tip, Small White, Large White, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Red-tailed Bumblebee, Orchard Bee, Hairy-footed Flower Bee (see below), Orchard Bee, Red Willow Leaf Beetle.

Water voles: sightings from the south route Wildwalk bridge pool (in the Pond Sedge), and from Wildside ponds close to the Wildside entrance.

Early flowering plants: Hazel, Alder, Winter Aconite, Red and White Dead-nettle, Early Crocus, Snowdrop, Blackthorn, Winter Viburnum, Cherry Plum, Stinking Helleborine, Daisy, Winter Jasmine, Blue Anemone, Rosemary, Sweet Violet, Cowslip, Butterbur, Lesser Celandine, Cuckoo-flower, Wood Anemone, Sweet Violet, Cow Parsley, Butchers Broom, Snake's Head Frittilary (see below).