Coal Tips
The reed warbler’s rhythmic, repetitive song currently fills the air around the coal tips; these secretive little birds deliver their songs from the cover of the reed beds. You can often see their shadow moving amidst the reeds and on occasion shuffling up into view still delivering their song, a wonderful treat and so worth waiting for.
Reed warbler - Pete Maugham
Sightings of the black-necked grebes, have been a bit hit and miss lately, preferring the cover and protection of the reed beds, they can often be seen on the fringes of the reeds. The general consensus at the moment is that there appears to be 6 grebes on the south east lagoon and a single grebe on the west lagoon. The path by the west lagoon will give good clear views, especially on a sunny day highlighting those coppery-red flanks and the golden yellow fan behind the striking red eye.
Black-necked grebe - Pete Maugham
Cuckoos are regularly seen on the tips, with up to 3 being reported. It’s a good idea to scan the fence posts ahead as you walk as they do like to perch on these and you can get quite stunning views of this majestic iconic bird.
Cuckoo - Keith Boyer
A single spotted flycatcher was reported by a visitor on the 18th, the only Fairburn record this spring. Yellow wagtails have also been seen on big hole, although they departed north east towards main bay. A whimbrel was also seen in flight over big hole heading eastwards.
Flashes
A single black tern was reported briefly over The Moat on the 24th. Raptors noted have been marsh harrier and several sightings of a hobby, in fact 3 hobbys were seen on the 22nd which is great news. The two Egyptian geese are still around, usually being seen in the fields between the moat and the coal tips.
The spoonbills are still providing entertainment from the moat area, although patience is key as they do seem to like their naps! If you are lucky you may catch them in feeding in front of Lin Dike hide, they really are stunning close up and have that “punk” look when the wind catches the crest on the nape
Lin Dike
The air is rich with the songs of warblers, a good time to brush up on your song identifying skills, go on, and give yourself a challenge! Chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, whitethroat, sedge and reed warbler, lesser whitethroat, garden warbler and Cetti’s warbler can all be heard.
Willow warbler - Pete Maugham
Main bay & Village bay
Main bay is still the best location to look for waders and dunlin, ringed plover, little-ringed plover, turnstone and common sandpiper have all been seen. In fact there were 5 dunlin on the reserve on the 13th (4 on main bay and 1 on the coal tips) which is a year record. Arctic terns have also made appearances amongst the resident common terns with 27 moving through eastwards on the 26th. A kingfisher has also been spotted on more than one occasion, speeding by the roadside viewing platform towards village bay, a welcome sight. A water rail has also been seen around the duck feeding platform, keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of this shy little bird.
Little ringed plover - Pete Maugham
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, small copper, common blue, dingy skipper and holly blue. In fact the holly blue flew into the visitor centre, and a pale tussock moth was found at the side of the door, you can’t get any closer to nature. Another moth which has been seen is a silver Y, this is a migrant moth and arrives in northern Europe from warmer climes to breed. They cannot survive the severe northern winters, caterpillars, pupae, and adults are all killed by frosts. Check the sightings book for locations.
Silver y moth - Pete Maugham
Dragonflies and damselflies are starting to appear around the site, recorded so far have been four-spotted chaser, blue-tailed damselfly, large red damselfly, azure damselfly, common blue and banded demoiselle.
Four-spotted chaser - Pete Maugham
Finally, two red-eared terrapins were seen on Village Bay island catching some rays in the sun; scan the water’s edge from the concrete bridge if you are interested, preferably with a scope if you have one.