The last week has seen an abundance of fledglings with blue tit, great tit, coal tit, marsh tit, chaffinch, robin, dunnock and woodlark chicks all being seen. Several greater spotted woodpecker nests have been found across the sight, with one or two ready to fledge with chicks being seen poking their head out of the nest hole.
Song thrushes continue to sing from the woodland as well as a few bullfinch and a lesser spotted woodpecker being seen. A pair of spotted flycatchers has been seen near the zig zag boardwalk and reports of a singing firecrest near decoy pond were welcome news this week.
(song thrush nest)
On the heathland 3 nightjars have been heard churring and several woodcock have been roding after dusk. Woodlarks have started to sing again after already fledging their first brood of chicks, skylarks, tree pipits and stonechats continue to be seen near the shooting butts. On the western heath a turtle dove was heard purring.
A dormouse check the other week found 10 dormice as well as marsh tit, coal tit and blue tit nests.
(Dormouse)
Other wildlife seen in the last week includes a Noctule bat near decoy pond and a variety of reptiles including grass snake and common lizard and an all black male adder.
Dragonflies and damselflies have been abundant around decoy pond and the wetter areas on site with broad bodied chasers, downy emerald, hairy dragonfly, common blue, azure blue and large red all being seen this week.
(Azure damselfly)
Please let us know of any interesting sightings you see on the reserve.
Good news about the turtle dove.