Buzzard at Conwy RSPB

On the 28th 7 Buzzards were soaring together over the reserve car park, with more birds displaying over the local woods. The male Kestrel is still around the reserve. The female Sparrowhawk is being seen more often, especially in the evenings. The Peregrine caught a Black-headed Gull on the estuary on the 27th this is being seen more regularly too.

With the temperatures increasing, the duck numbers are decreasing. Totals this week include 6 Pochard, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall, a Goldeneye and about 25 Teal. Perhaps many of them have already started heading north to their breeding grounds.

6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin and a Knot joined the increasing roost numbers of Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Little Egrets have increased to 6 this week.

There are now up to 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the roost, with hundreds of Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls and Herring Gulls.

A Chiffchaff was seen on the 24th. There is an increasing flock of about 30 Siskins in the wildlife garden with a Lesser Redpoll occasionally seen with them. Reed Buntings are calling from the reed tops now and Song Thrushes are singing around the reserve.

It wont be long until we get out first Wheatears and Sand Martins back.

For information on our work to eradicate the invasive weed 'crassula' on our shallow lagoon, next week, please follow the link below.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/conwy/b/conwy-blog/archive/2012/02/27/a-salt-solution.aspx