Wildlife sightings for 6th April 2014
1 Green Sandpiper - marsh
10 Snipe - scrape and marsh
10 Sand Martin - over scrape/marsh
2 House Martin - over scrape/marsh - first of the year
7 Swallow - over scrape/marsh - first of the year
1 Sedge Warbler - singing briefly on the marsh - first of the year
1 Willow Warbler - south route
2 Yellow Wagtail - flew overhead
1 Linnet - flew N
March/April bird highlights: Buzzard, Red Kite, Jack Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Iceland Gull, Little Egret, Brambling, Linnet, Wheatear, Siberian Chiffchaff.
Spring has arrived with many birds singing and displaying across the reserve. Among those now in full song are Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Greenfinch, Wren and Reed Bunting. Lapwing and the first Redshanks of the year are busy performing noisy display flights and scraping out nests on the islands and fields. Great Crested Grebe pairs have been courtship dancing for several weeks now, being one of the earliest wildfowl to nest here. The first Sand Martin was recorded on the 15th. The first Wheatear was spotted on the marsh 21st March. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap are arriving every day, many securing their territories while others are simply passing through north and west.
Most of the Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal have now departed for their breeding grounds in the north and east, although small numbers may still be found feeding on the marsh or main lake.
Early flowering plants: Red Dead-Nettle, Blackthorn, Field-Speedwell, Primrose, Mouse-Ear, Yarrow, Annual Meadow-grass, Annual Mercury, Alder, Aspen, Common Field Speedwell, Common Whitlow-grass, Daisy, Grey Willow, Groundsel, Hairy Bitter-cress, Hazel, Lesser Celandine, Marsh Marigold, Petty Spurge, Shepherd’s Purse, Snowdrop, Wild Daffodil, Sweet Violet, Colt’s-foot, Thale Cress, Butterbur, Cow Parsley, Cowslip, Field Scabious, Herb Robert, Green Alkanet.
Water Voles: 4 individuals were spotted together along one section of the South Route, all feeding on Sedge roots and Reed stems.
Butterflies and Moths: Comma, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White. Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, Hebrew Character, Oak Beauty, March moth, Dotted Border, Herald, Agonopterix alstromeriana, Chestnut, Agonopterix heracliana.
Other insects: White-tailed Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Tree Bumblebee.
Amphibians: at least a dozen Smooth Newts have been spotted at the start of the month in the South Route ponds, along with one or two sightings of Common Frog. Common Toad has also been heard.
Bats: 1 Nathusius’ Pipistrelle (seen), a few Soprano Pipistrelle (on bat detector).
Reptiles: The first survey of the year revealed a total of 84 Slow Worms, 15 Common Lizards and 3 Grass Snakes.
