Recent Sightings Highlights 28.08.23

xDarrenx

28 Aug 2023

Recent Sightings Highlights 28.08.23

(scroll to end for Reserve News & Events)

Raptors

Marsh Harrier

Peregrine Falcon

Barn Owl

Hobby

Kestrel

Sparrow Hawk

Buzzard

Waders

Curlew Sandpiper (23.08.23)

Wood Sandpiper (19.08.23)

Common Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Snipe

Spotted Redshank

Redshank

Greenshank

Avocet

Ruff

Black-tailed Godwit

Dunlin

Lapwing

Curlew

Water Rail

Knot (26.08.23)

Golden Plover (flew along River Ouse 22.08.23)

Ringed Plover (17.08.23)

Waterfowl

Pintail (male and female)

Teal

Wigeon

Tufted Duck

Pochard

Gadwall

Little Grebe

Mute Swan

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Shoveler

Mallard

Moorhen

Coot

Shelduck

Herons

Bittern x 2 juveniles

Great White Egret

Little egret

Passerines

Kingfisher

Redstart (19.08.23)

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Tree Sparrow

Willow Warbler

Reed Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Cetti’s Warbler

Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Yellow Wagtail

Whinchat

Long-tailed Tit

Bearded Tit

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Chaffinch

Goldfinch

Meadow Pipit

Blackcap

Reed Bunting

Starling

Blackbird

Chiff Chaff

Robin

Wren

Gulls and Waterbirds

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Hirundines

Sand Martin

House Martin

Swallow

Swift

Others

Stock Dove

Carrion Crow

Wood Pigeon

Magpie

Pheasant

Butterflies, Moths and Insects

Migrant Hawker

Brown Hawker

Common Darter

Ruddy Darter

Speckled Wood

Large White

Small White

Red Admiral

Comma

Goat Moth Caterpillar

Copper Underwing

Old Lady

Large Yellow Underwing

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Grasshopper

European Hornet

Mammals

Koniks Pony

Weasel

Stoat

Grey Squirrel

Roe Deer

Fox

Reserve News & Events

Reserve firsts are few and far between in recent times. After 50 years we’ve acquired an impressive species list. So when a new species for the reserve is brought to our attention we get a little excited no matter how small they are. Thanks to Tony Smith who recently sent us these photo’s of a goat moth caterpillar we were spurred into doing some research. So called because of the smell they emit as larvae, goat moths have rapidly declined in abundance and distribution since the 1960s. We suspect they have colonised our willow trees but also feed on poplar burrowing under the bark and into the heartwood of the tree, preferring low lying wetland habitats – exactly what they have found at Blacktoft.

Their lifecycle is equally fascinating. Goat moth caterpillars have the longest larval stage of any UK moth, remaining as caterpillars for up to 4 years and growing up to 10cms long. They pupate in mid April emerging as moths in June. They won’t survive long as a moth though. They don’t have a mouth and aren’t able to eat – they’re only interested in finding a mate. They are a UK priority species.