Summer at Exminster Marshes, Matford Marshes and Powderham has seen plenty of Mute swan cygnets, Canada Geese goslings, Mallard chicks, Lapwing chicks, Coot chicks and Oystercatcher chicks. Juvenile Starling, Goldfinch, Tits and Robins are now appearing. The Summer migrant hirundines are aplenty, scooping up the available flies in their wake and Cirl Bunting has been seen and heard at Powderham Marshes. Water levels in the ditches have lowered slightly due to the very warm spells experienced.
Latest sightings:
Swallows
House Martins
Swifts
Chiff Chaff
Cetti’s Warbler
Willow Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat
Reed Bunting
Linnet
Skylark
Kestrel
Little Egret
Cananda Goose
Shelduck
Also seen: Vixen with three cubs, grass snake, slow worm, green-veined whites, red admiral, speckled woods, cinnabar moth, abundant common blue, common red, azure damselflies along Turf Path among the tall grasses with the occasional Dragonfly if you’re lucky!.
Don’t forget, anyone can join staff for the Butterfly and Damselfly Ramble on Sunday 23 June between 1 and 3pm. Book by telephoning: 01392 432691.
Vandana Lake
Residential Volunteer