Recent Sightings Highlights 09.07.2023
(scroll to end for pics and Reserve News & Events)
Raptors
Marsh Harriers (with fledglings)
Hobby
Barn Owl
Red Kite (over Trent)
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Buzzard
Peregrine Falcon
Water Fowl
Shoveler
Teal
Wigeon
Gadwall (with brood)
Mallard (with brood)
Pochard (with brood)
Tufted Duck (with brood)
Mute Swan (+ cygnets)
Grey Lag
Canada Goose
Coot (with young)
Moorhen
Water Rail
Little Grebe (feeding young)
Waders
Curlew
Avocet
Redshank
Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Ruff
Green Sandpiper
Dunlin
Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Lapwing
Herons
Bittern (feeding flights + 1 fledgling)
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Spoonbill
Passerines
Tree Sparrow
Bearded Tit (with young)
Stonechat
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Cetti’s Warbler
Willow Warbler
Chiff Chaff
Long-tailed Tit
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat
Dunnock
Blackcap
Starling
Reed Bunting
Wren
Robin
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Gulls & Water Birds
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black-headed Gull
Cormorant
Hirundines
Swallow
Swift
Sand Martin
House Martin
Others
Cuckoo (very occasional sightings – will migrate soon)
Stock Dove
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Pheasant
Butterflies & Dragon Flies
Comma
Red Admiral
Gatekeeper
Small White
Large White
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Speckled Wood
Green Veined White
Small Tortoiseshell
Brown Hawker
Black-tailed Skimmer
Common Darter
Azure Damselfly
Mammals
Water Vole
Roe Deer
Reserve News & Events
It really has been a strange season so far. As previously mentioned a cold and wet spring delayed the breeding season somewhat but as the weather turned a corner it picked up. Especially in June when the Met Office recorded the hottest June since records began in 1884. These extremes of weather conditions are a sure indicator that climate change will affect us now and into the future.
There’s still plenty of ducklings around whilst lots of waders have been showing (particularly on Marshland lagoon). Meanwhile Marsh Harrier fledglings have taken to the skies (at least 6 so far) and bearded tits with young are starting to show around the muddy reed edges.
It’s been great to see lots of butterflies and dragonflies too. These all seemed to emerge at the same time.
Whilst it’s been great to have a number of Curlew back on site it’s also a little disconcerting. Curlews are upland breeding birds, the UK breeding season for them is generally April to July. Does this mean that birds currently on site are failed breeders this year? They are already a red listed bird in the UK where 30% of the European population breeds. Or are they early breeders whose broods have already fledged?
Here’s a few of our favourite recent pics.
Curlew (Pic: P.Short)
Juvenile Bittern on Singleton (Pic: R.Thornton)
Black-tailed Godwit (Pic: P.Short)
This Black-tailed godwit, spotted on Marshland lagoon recently, was ringed on the Wash, part of the East Coast Flyway.
Spotted Redshank (Pic: D.Johnson)
Spotted redshank have been showing at Marshland for a little while now. This time of year they begin to moult into their winter plumage – as seen above.
Juvenile Little Egret (Pic: P.Short)
Juvenile Avocet (Pic: P.Short)
Green Sandpiper (with chironomid) (Pic: P.Short)
Greenshank (Pic: P.Short)
Snipe (Pic: P.Short)
Male Cuckoo (Pic: P.Short)
Tufted Duck with brood (Pic: P.Short)
Long-tailed tit on seed head (Pic: D.Johnson)
Bee Orchid on Horseshoe Meadow (Pic: P.Short)
5 Spot Burnet moth (Pic: P.Short)
We’ve partnered up with East Riding of Yorkshire Health and Wellbeing Hub. Why not join us for a leisurely walk and talk around RSPB Blacktoft Sands. It’s completely free – just turn up and tag along! Next one is Monday 7th August.
Happy birding everyone
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