Wildlife sightings for 5th April 2015
1 Mediterranean Gull - flew low over main lake calling, then off W (1130hrs)
1 Jack Snipe - scrape
1 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon
6 Redshank - scrape, marsh
2 Swallow - main lake
4 Chiffchaff - wildside (2), sheltered lagoon (2)
March/April bird highlights: Shelduck, Garganey, Bittern, Peregrine, Pheasant, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Jack Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, Kittiwake, Mediterranean Gull, Kingfisher, Stonechat, Wheatear.
The first spring birds have arrived in the form of Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Blackcap, Little Ringed Plover and Redshank, as well as other migrants stopping off or passing through like Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Swallow, Willow Warbler and Wheatear. The wet, muddy pools of the marsh are attracting migrant Snipe (18 counted on the 17th March) and breeding Lapwing/Redshank. The wader scrape is now being flooded and drained over a fortnightly period to bring in a few interesting waders. A pair of Kingfishers have been seen excavating holes in both artificial Kingfisher Banks, so there’s hope that they may well nest successfully this year. Great Crested Grebes are paired up and displaying on the main lake and reservoir lagoon. Lapwings are actively scraping out nest sites on the main lake and wader scrape, as well as busily displaying to each other. A pair of Little Grebe are nesting in the reeds close to the Headley Hide.
Reptiles: First reptile survey of the year (2nd April). Slow Worm: 5 juvenile, 1 male, 1 female. Common Lizard: 3 juvenile, 1 adult.
Butterflies: 1 Red Admiral (1st March), 1 Brimstone (9th March), 1 Small Tortoiseshell (9th March).
Plants: Hawthorns are in leaf, lots of Blackthorn blossom and the first Primroses and Cowslips are in flower.
Water Voles: 2 adults seen swimming in wildside near the first two bridges (5th April).
