Top ten birds
Garganey
Common Tern
Swift
Greenfinch
Black-necked Grebe
Reed Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Avocets
Common Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover
As we move into summer, RSPB St Aidan’s becomes a place of reeds – now grown high, the site is dominated by the rich green colours and sound of the wind blowing through the reed beds. It is a very special place. As the season progresses the bird song starts to reduce. By the middle of June, the Bitterns have stopped booming, although they are still regularly seen flying, mostly around Astley Lake. We can still hear song from the warblers, particularly Reed and Sedge Warblers, but the song of the Willow Warblers, earlier so present on the reserve, has mostly gone silent. The Skylarks are still going strong particularly along the Hillside.
We can now enjoy the chicks and juveniles on the site, particularly those of the Great Crested Grebes and the Black Necked Grebes. When they first fledge, if you’re lucky, you can see the chicks riding around on the backs of their parents. There are plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls around the site. The Canada and Greylag geese are very good parents, and they have large broods of goslings, often resting and sunning themselves (when there is any sun) at the side of the paths.
Any walk around RSPB St Aidan’s will be accompanied by the song of numerous Cetti’s Warblers. The RSPB website describes this bird as a ‘shy bird that likes to skulk about in patches of scrub and dry grass. Its loud bursts of song mean you’ll hear it before you see it’. Many a bird watcher will have spent too much time peering into a shrub knowing there’s a Cetti’s nearby but not getting to actually see it. It is a professional skulker. However, we often see one shoot past, dive into a shrub and then hear its incredible explosive song or maybe ‘call’ would be more appropriate. Cetti’s Warblers first bred in Kent in 1972 and since then, its range has successfully spread northwards and Cetti’s Warblers are present at RSPB St Aidan’s through the year in significant numbers.
In the spring and summer, the Black-headed Gulls are a spectacle – huge numbers of noisy birds over most of the site. But once the Swifts return, there is a new spectacle. Swifts are masters of the aerial lifestyle and are seen in large numbers over the reserve flaunting their aerial acrobatics often accompanied by loud screaming. Swifts are dependent on flying insects for food and at RSPB St Aidan’s, this is what we see - large numbers of Swifts feeding. Unfortunately, their numbers have dropped throughout Britain by around 50% in the last 25 years, and they are on the Conservation Red List. It is thought that this is caused by the drop in numbers of flying insects and well as loss of nesting habitat. The 7th June was World Swift Day and the RSPB is very conscious of the problems with this amazing bird and is working to support its recovery.
RSPB St Aidan’s is a very accessible site, with good quality paths. Wheelchair users find the site easy to navigate and less mobile birdwatchers are welcome to enjoy everything that RSPB St Aidan’s offers. A motorized scooter is available for hire at the Little Owl Café, although it is always best to book it. Please see the RSPB St Aidan’s Website here for more information, including information on upcoming events.
Don't forget to tag us in your photos and videos of what you've seen on the reserve. We love to see what you discover!
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Written by: Helena
Images: Ben Hall, Les Liddle