The arrival of spring is on its way with bluebell plants starting to emerge in the woods and an array of singing birds and drumming woodpeckers marking out their territory.
Species seen in the last few weeks and ones you should listen our for across the heath include up to 7 male yellowhammers singing their “a-little-bit-of-bread-with-no-cheeeeeese” and woodlarks with their fluty serial lū-lū-lū-lū-lū-", toolooeet toolooeet toolooee. The French Alouette lulu, and the scientific name, Lullula arborea for woodlark are actually derived from the sound of its song.
Stonechats can be seen pairing up and perching on the pines across the heath. 2 ravens have been seen across the heath gathering nesting material, which would be the first time they have nested at Broadwater which would be exciting if they successfully nested. Up to 12 snipe have been seen on the reserve on the wet heathland.
In the woodland you will still be able to see the remnants of tit flocks, but soon they will be going their separate ways. In the last few week’s marsh tits, blue, coal, great and long tailed tits have been seen near the veteran oak as well as up to 10 goldcrest in the same flock. Song thrushes can be heard singing across the woodland and a lesser spotted woodpecker can be heard calling near the boardwalk. About 8 greater spotted woodpeckers can be heard drumming across the woods. A grey heron has been roosting in the wet woodland near decoy pond and 2 little egrets were seen flying out of the woodland across the heath yesterday.
In other species news the first common lizard was spotted warming up in the sun on the side of the main track from the car park and the first brimstone butterfly was reported to us. Keep an eye for more butterflies and reptiles such as adder as it starts to get warmer.
Please let us know of any sightings you may have on the reserve.