On the first of our Dawn Chorus walks of the year we saw and heard around 63 different species of birds and wildlife. 7 of the warblers that are present on the reserve: Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blackcap. These were all on the Riverbank trail and can be heard on a daily basis as well as Lesser Whitethroat and if you're lucky Grasshopper Warbler, although they have quietened down since they first arrived. Also on the Riverbank trail this week we've had Chiff Chaff, Yellowhammer and Red Legged Partridge.
Daily sightings of Kingfisher at the watchpoint. Jay on the bench near feeders and a number of Cuckoo have been heard, one of which from around the Boardwalk area.
Up to 11 Avocet on Hicksons flash over the past week. Greenshank at Lin Dike on Friday 14th, 3 Wood Sandpiper on Friday 7th May, 2 on Tuesday 11th May and 1 on Thursday 13th on New Flash, 2 Dunlin and 3 Little Ringed Plover on 11th May, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper at New flash and Common Sandpiper on 10th May.
A Little Gull on Spoonbill Flash, Med Gull and 5 Common Terns from Main Bay and 5 Arctic Terns on 10th May.
Yellow Wagtail from Lin Dike on 10th May, Skylark, and Meadow Pipit over the flashes.
Lots of ducks and geese to be seen: Garganey, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Shelduck and Goosander.
Some fantastic views of raptors over the reserve, regular sightings of Buzzard over Newfield Plantation, Sparrowhawk from Lin Dike Hide, Peregrine over Main Main and Village Bay Hides, Marsh Harrier over New Flash, 2 Hobby over the Moat on 10th May and regular sightings of Kestrel.
Yesterday there were sightings of Red Kite from Lin Dike looking towards Ledston, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Whitethroat at Lin Dike and Redshank on New Flash as well as sightings of Kingfisher at the watchpoint and Cut Lane.
This morning we've had Little Ringed Plover and Redshank from Lin Dike Hide and Pochard, Sedge Warbler and 10 Swift on Phalorope Pool. Also seen this morning, Kingfisher at Pond dipping platform and Treecreeper near Pickup Hide.
Other wildlife on the reserve includes Fox, Grey Rabbit, many different butterflies and dragonflies such as Brown Hawker, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damdelfly, 4 Spot Chaser, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.