Top Ten birds:
Garganey
Hobby
Black terns
Cuckoo
Garden Warblers
Ringed Plovers
Swifts
Black Necked Grebes
Bitterns
Bearded Tits
May 11th was World Migratory Bird Day. The UK sits on a bird migration super-highway, and RSPB St Aidan’s has provided a welcome landing site for many of our summer migrants, who are arriving ready to start breeding. The sounds of the Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs are being overshadowed by the loud chattering song of the Sedge Warblers, as well as the Reed Buntings. Reed Warbler nests are a particularly attractive home for Cuckoo eggs and it’s not surprising that Cuckoos are regularly seen around the site. Whitethroats singing from the tops of trees are easy to spot and in places on the nature park, the air is filled with the song of Skylarks. Garden Warblers have been seen and heard and it can be interesting to spend some time separating out the songs of the Garden Warbler and the Blackcap.
Looking up, there are plenty of Swifts, Sand Martins and Swallows, feeding on the wing, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a Hobby. The Hobbies have returned from migration and feed on large insects on the wing. At RSPB St Aidan’s we are very familiar with seeing Kestrels which nest on the large piece of open-cast mining equipment, known locally as Oddball. But if you see a small bird of prey, look twice and if it has a Swift-like shape, is feeding on large insects and dragonflies on the wing, it will be a Hobby. Always a lovely surprise to see one so far north.
On the lagoons, Pochard are frequently seen, and it is estimated that there are up to 20 Pochard nesting. They tend to be seen in the same areas as the Black-necked Grebes which are busy now with their nests and not so easily spotted. There are plenty of Shovelers at St Aidan’s and often Shelduck can be seen, as well as Great Crested Grebes. The site is dominated by the Black-headed Gulls - it is quite a sight to see them flying in such huge numbers and to hear their persistent cries. There are over 4,000 Black-headed Gull nests at RSPB St Aidan’s.
The Bitterns are still calling and are regularly seen flying over the reedbeds. They are great favourites with photographers who have taken some stunning photographs during the first couple of weeks of May.
During this time, the site has changed in colour from brown and beige to green. The trees are in full leaf and the new reeds are pushing up through the old, turning the whole site green, with large areas of yellow, coloured by the meadows of buttercups, and the Yellow Flag Irises edging the reeds. The wildflowers are blooming around the nature park– Ox-eye Daisies and Red Campion are common, whilst varieties of wild orchids are around, but not so commonly seen.
One of the highlights has been sightings of hares on the hillside fields. Roe Deer are often seen, but hares can be very secretive, and it’s very exciting to see them racing around the fields in their springtime enthusiasm. There is always something interesting and exciting to see at this wonderful RSPB managed reserve.
Want to learn more about the nature park and what it has to offer? Why not check out our range of events here.
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: Barry Carter, Karen Speight