The month started with an autumnal feel to the weather, with below average temperatures; generally disappointing. Fortunately, summer arrived later in the month!
The Spoonbill walks run during the month proved very popular, with record attendees and positive feedback from participants. Adults and young were very obliging. It looks like it has been a successful breeding year; at the time of writing 21 fledged birds have been recorded with on one occasion at least 5 juveniles being spotted and no doubt others were tucked away elsewhere. The number of fledged birds smashes Fairburn’s previous record of 13 fledglings (in 2021 and 2022). With some birds still on nests it is likely that the number of fledglings will increase and sightings continue for a few weeks yet. Probably the best place to view spoonbills is from the north side of the Roy Taylor Trail, where the 3 benches are located. They do appear to have become well-established, along with the Little Egrets, who share the nesting area with the long-time residents Cormorants and Grey Herons.
The first few days of the month brought several Black-Tailed Godwits to Fairburn, looking stunning in their brick-red breeding plumage. Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Little-Ringed Plover were also seen.
Bittern continued to be seen at various locations around the reserve, no doubt on trips for young.
Evidence of successful breeding abounded across Fairburn Ings, with juvenile Robins favouring the Visitor Centre boardwalk and young Blue Tits and Great Tits visiting the feeders. After last year’s breeding success impacted by bird flu, it was pleasing to see many juvenile Black-headed Gulls on the Main Bay islands and nesting platform, viewed from Bob Dickens’ hide.
Photographers have been busy capturing images of various juvenile birds, including Shelduck, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bearded Reedling, Long-Tailed Tit and Great Tit.
The warmer weather led to an increase in butterfly numbers, sightings included Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small White, Red Admiral and Small Skipper.
Other bird sightings in the month included:
Hobby (Flashes)
Great White Egret (Flashes)
Cattle Egret (Flashes)
Snipe (Big Hole)
Kingfisher (Charlie’s and Pickup Hides)
Black-Necked Grebe (Big Lagoon)
Stone Curlew (Spoonbill Flash)