It’s been a lovely sunny and dare I say warm weekend here at Fairburn Ings, with plenty of people paying us a visit over the past couple of days. There’s been lots of different wildlife about for people to spot; over at the pond dipping platforms there are some huge tadpoles (or so I’ve been told by some of our excitable younger visitors)!
There’s been lots of activity down at Lin Dike, with fairly frequent sightings of bittern in flight. There’s been at least one sighting reported everyday so it’s definitely worth heading over to take a look. People have also heard the loud and distinct song of a Cetti’s warbler at Lin Dike, sometimes even from the car park! It’s is also worth looking out for a garganey that has been seen a few times from the hide.
Bittern - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
There have been a few different raptors seen this week, including a hobby, red kite and common buzzard. We still have regular sightings of a marsh harrier from Pick Up hide. Lapwings can also still be seen from Pick Up. While you’re at Pick Up hide take a look at the feeders, we’ve had willow tit and great-spotted woodpecker seen there this morning.
Great spotted woodpecker - Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
My Twitter feed has been flooded this week with pictures of painted lady butterflies as they’ve been migrating north. We’ve had our first sighting here at the visitor center this week, probably related to the fairly warm weather we had towards the end of last week. Other butterflies seen this week include lots of common blue, some holly blue and small copper and a few large white. If you're into your butterflies and moths, why not take a look at Paul Miguel's Photography workshop which is running this Saturday (13 June); full details at http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-400411
Painted lady - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)