This week we welcome our new sightings blogger, Pete. He's a regular at Fairburn, knows his wildlife & pretty handy with a camera too. If you see him around, give him a wave (he'll have a badge, whether he'll be incognito is another thing!)
Lin Dike
A potential rarity was found near Warbler Corner last week (between Lin Dike hide and iron bridge) I say potential because the sighting has yet to be accepted as our bird guru was sunning himself on holiday. Most inconvenient, especially as we were all coping with the cold, wet weather! The sighting was of a Siberian chiffchaff, alerted a passing local birder by its distinct “tseep” call. There are subtle plumage changes from that of the common chiffchaff we are used to seeing, a more brown/grey appearance which is not always apparent at a glance. No doubt the photos will be thoroughly examined and a decision made, would be a nice patch tick, please!
Common chiffchaff left – Siberian chiffchaff Right - credit Vincent Van der Spek
Lots of warbler activity along the path and so it pays to take your time and take in the different bird song filling the air. In good numbers are chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, whitethroat, sedge and reed warbler as well as the species that take a little more patience to locate in lesser whitethroat, garden and grasshopper warbler and also a very vocal Cetti’s warbler has been heard around Warbler Corner.
Flashes
Raptors noted this month have been marsh harrier, our resident peregrines, and the first sighting of a returning hobby. Other notable sightings have been yellow wagtails and pink-footed geese.
Pink footed goose - Pete Maugham
Also making infrequent visits has been a great white egret and the “patchwork” Egyptian geese are enjoying a prolonged visit.
Egyptian Geese - Keith Boyer
The much anticipated return of spoonbills to the Moat has been the big news; a pair seem to have taken up residence. Will we be witnessing the arrival of more “teaspoons “ later in the year one wonders, that would be a fantastic achievement after last year’s successful brood. There are potentially four in the Aire Valley now.
Coal Tips
The one bird you could not fail to miss as you approached the Coal Tips is the magnificent skylark, breaking from cover to soar high into the sky delivering its wonderful liquid warbling song, at times so high they are not visible! This is followed by a controlled descent before gently “parachuting” to the ground, one of the most endearing sights of spring which even moved William Wordsworth to write a poem about them.
Skylark - Pete Maugham
The main attraction in the lagoons at the moment is the arrival of splendid looking black-necked grebe, it is advisable to use binoculars to view these lovely birds, they can be distant and easily confused with little grebes.
The reed beds are full of sedge and reed warblers delivering their songs, it almost sounds like a competition. The sedge warbler is the easiest to spot, delivering its aggressive song from a perch; it’s a showy little bird. The reed warbler delivers its song from the confines of the reed bed and is a little more difficult to locate.
Sedge warbler - Pete Maugham
And of course there are also the elusive “booming” bitterns and also a couple of “reeling” grasshopper warblers to listen out for, as well as the bearded tits! Cuckoos have been regularly seen and also several wheatears have been passing through on their journey to their upland breeding grounds.
Wheatear - Pete Maugham
Main Bay
Due to the amount of rain we’ve experienced and the high water levels around the reserve visiting waders have been in short supply, the islands in Main Bay being one of the best places to lookout for them. In fact the 25th of April seemed to be a bumper day with black-tailed godwit, little ringed plover, dunlin, common sandpipers and yellow wagtail all being seen. There have also been visits from Arctic terns to compliment the common terns which are currently in residence, and also the welcome return of avocets.
Other
Butterflies that have been noted around the reserve are small tortoiseshell, small white, large white, green-veined white, brimstone, orange tip, speckled wood, peacock, comma. Check the sightings book for locations.
A pair of hares have been seen in the fields opposite the moat offering good views, great to see them bounding off across the fields with effortless speed.
Brown hares - Pete Maugham