This week, we've had a lot of harrier sightings. This included 5 marsh harriers in one go, which included 3 juveniles, so we are hoping this may have been a breeding success! We also had a hen harrier hang out on the nature reserve for the day on Wednesday.
Of the UK's birds of prey, hen harriers are the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK, particularly on the driven grouse moors of England and Scotland.
Hen harrier - Mark Thomas
Other sightings on the reserve this week include; plenty of grass snakes, lizards and newts! Our Egyptian goose family are still pottering around the reserve although the chicks are almost fully grown now.
Cattle egrets have been spotted in the wet grassland fields alongside great white and little egrets. We've also had yellow wagtails spotted, with juveniles too. A late juvenile cuckoo was also seen on the reserve this week.
Cattle egret with cow - Graham Parry
Swallows and house martins are still around, as are a few swifts. There haven't been as many hobbies sighted this week due to the wet and windy weather. Hopefully, next week will brighten up a bit for us and we'll see lots more of you visiting our nature reserve!