On a brisk but sunny 1st of May, we had a splendid afternoon walk round the 'Loop' route. There was a cold easterly wind blowing which had cleared the sky and transformed the landscape - with a powder blue sky and billowing clouds.
Billowing clouds and powder blue sky.
As we crossed the 'Discovery' field, we noted the addition, by staff and volunteers, of large wooden stepping 'stones' for gaining access to the Bug hotel (newly named 'Maggot Mansion') when the meadow surrounding it grows tall. A number of Tree Bumblebees were seen here on dandelion flowers.
'Stepping stones'.
Tree Bumblebee (B. Hypnorum) on dandelions.
Looking along the path ahead we could see the effect of the previous cold days, with snow capped Lake District fells in the distance. Suddenly a commotion above us drew our attention to a Buzzard being mobbed by a number of corvids. It was quite a sustained attack which lasted a number of minutes - until the Buzzard veered off and disappeared into the distance.
Lake District fells in the distance.
Buzzard above . . .
. . . being mobbed by corvids.
Reaching the newly ploughed arable field by the damson hedge, we were pleased to see a small flock of Linnets flying around. On closer inspection, we could detect a number of male and female Wheatears picking amongst the ridges. They remained quite still for a while but every so often a movement could be spotted which gave away their presence, being so well camouflaged.
Pair of Wheatear on arable field.
Male Wheatear.
Female Wheatear with Moth.
While looking at these birds, a flurry nearby alerted us to, what looked like a small bird of prey being harassed. It suddenly wheeled off and flew across the field in front of us and disappeared into the hedge opposite. On interrogation of the photos taken, its grey appearance and barred underwing denoted it as being an Cuckoo.
Cuckoo (note barred underwing) flying away over the ploughed field . . .
. . . towards the hedge.
Walking on round this field towards 'Bushcraft Island', we came across Stephen with the tractor and harrows - working the arable field near the wood fringing the moss. By the time we came adjacent to him, he had exchanged the harrows for a bank of rollers and was well into finishing off the preparation of this field prior to seed planting. This crop then becomes a useful supplement in autumn and winter, for a range of seed eating birds, which, now that this part of the Reserve farmland has been opened up to us with these new routes, will be observable.
Stephen transporting the harrows.
Rolling the field bordering the Moss.
Reaching the hide for a welcome rest, all of note were a pair of Mallard and a Canada Goose on the pool in front. Returning down the Lonning, a Sedge Warbler and a Willow Warbler were in fine form singing from the cover of the hedgerow. A Moorhen was noted on the 2nd Meadow Pool and a Little Egret on the 1st Pool.
Canada Goose in front of the hide.
Moorhen - 2nd Meadow Pool
Secretive Sedge Warbler in Lonning hedge.
Little Egret on 1st Meadow Pool.