Firstly some exciting news, our assistant warden Karen was very pleased to have caught a picture of a badger on the reserve the other night! It has been a good while since a badger has been seen around Fairburn so it’s great to know.
We’ve also had quite a few sightings of hares towards Newfield Plantation and a fox was spotted down at Lin Dike.
There have been up to 9 avocets seen at Hickson’s, along with little egrets, redshank and our first sightings of sand martins. There’s yet to be any reported sightings at our sand martin wall but hopefully it shouldn’t be long now.
We’ve had kittiwakes on both Main and Village Bay, and on Wednesday there was a common scoter seen in between the two bays. A little ringed plover was seen at Lin Dike, as well as 19 redpoll, skylark and a long eared owl. A bittern was heard booming at Cedric’s pool around the North flashes.
There have been a fair few chiffchaffs, willow tits and kingfishers spotted around the reserve, along with a willow warbler and yellow wagtail. One of our volunteers, Joe, spotted a goshawk at the flashes on Thursday and a pair of serins were also reportedly seen on this day. On our main pond dipping platform you can see a coots nest over on the left with two tiny chicks inside!
There’s been some more butterfly sightings thanks to the recent sunshine, with two brimstone and two small tortoiseshells seen. We've got a meet the moths event on at 10am tomorrow, followed by a minibeast safari at 11am and 2pm. Now the snows disappeared there should be plenty to see and it's free!
If you’re wondering what to do today, why not come down and create a buzz by making your own egg box wildlife garden? We’re running a family activity in the visitor centre till 4pm and would love to see you here!