It's that time of the year again where we are starting to get a build up of waders and warblers on our reserve. Willow warblers in particular have been heard and seen in fairly high numbers (50 at Lade Pits!). Now that they have bred and their young have fledged this will be the highest population of warblers we will see all year. From now until early September they will be gathering along the coast in their numbers to fly back to Africa for the winter. Listen out for their beautiful melodies on the reserve. Look out for Reed and Sedge warblers before they head off too!
Willow warbler - Martin Casemore
I hate to mention the dreaded word 'autumn' which means that our days are getting shorter again and summertime is waning. We will be saying goodbye soon to our much loved birds that fill the sky during the summertime such as the Swifts, Swallows, Martins and Hobbies. We have had hundreds flying over the reserve in the last couple of weeks preparing to leave for the African continent.
Sand martin over Burrowes Pit - Martin Casemore
We are also seeing high numbers of wading birds starting to build up on our reserve and despite the disturbance from the island restoration work happening on Burrowes Pit, we are still seeing a fair amount of birds from the hides such as the 33 Dunlin seen yesterday, Wood sandpipers, a Pectoral sandpiper that popped in again last week, Green sandpiper, Common sandpiper, Whimbrel and Knot. Others, such as Spotted redshank and 25 Black-tailed godwits as well as 276 Lapwing have been seen at Denge Marsh.
Wood sandpiper on Burrowes - Martin Casemore
Why not join our local guide and volunteer Paul Trodd on a walk around the reserve to see these birds on Wednesday 16th August? The walk starts at 10.30am, lasts approximately 2 hours and costs just £7 per person! (20% discount if you are an RSPB member). Please call 01797 320588 to book.