Over the last week the staff and visitors at Coombes Valley have been bringing back reports of a couple of our target species, Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts! Along with a whole host of other migrant species that have traveled a great distance to take of advantage of the haven that is Coombes!
Pied flycatcher male (left) and Redstart male (right)
Myself and Holly spotted our first male Pied flycatcher just across the first bridge on the main track but they've been spotted up at Buzzard bank and down by the pond too. Their bright white underside makes them very easy to spot even from a distance. A male redstart has been spotted in the long meadow and we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the first female of the year in clough meadow as she dropped down from a Hawthorn to reveal her rusty red tail.
Photo of Chiffchaff
The air is filled with the back and forth song of Chiffchaffs, the descending tune of Willow warblers and even a lesser whitethroat has been spotted in the top meadow. If you wait around the viewing platform outside the visitor centre you might be lucky enough to see Swallows ducking and diving above you with thier streamlined bodies and beautiful forked tails that have steered them all the way accross the Sahara desert. Have you seen any migrants at Coombes Valley? Come along and see what you can spot, this is only the beginning!!
Swallow (Photo by Mark Day)