What a fab day to be wildlife watching at the reserve... the sun is shining and the place is buzzing with birds, butterflies and people enjoying a nice cool ice cream!
Sand Martins have been a common sight at the reserve over the past few weeks, and lots of sightings today especially, with flocks nesting in the limestone walls of Fairburn village we're hoping to see them nesting in our newly built Sand Martin wall before too long! A Swift was also seen at Lin Dike this morning.
Cuckoo, Cuckoo... again we've had reports of at least 2 at Lin Dike (one seen and one heard at the same time) and visitors have been able to hear a different bird from around the discovery trail and Pickup hide.
The sun really brings out the lovely butterflies with sightings of Brimstone, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood and Green Veined White today.
Lots of warblers have been seen and heard all over the reserve today including Garden Warbler near Redshale Road, Sedge, Reed, Willow and Grasshopper Warbler at Lin Dike, Blackcap near village bay hide and Chiffchaff around the discovery trail and visitor centre.
The feeders near the centre have had some great views of Bullfinch (male and female), Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Treesparrow, Chaffinch and Blackbird. Also a Songthrush was pottering around on the ground under the feeders this afternoon aswell as a pair of Reed Buntings throughout the day. A Jay was seen near the visitor centre also.
A Lesser Whitethroat was seen near village bay hide this afternoon and a Whitethroat around the visitor centre.
Gadwall, Teal and Pochard seen from Pickup hide along with Heron, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
A Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Kestrel have all been seen from Lin Dike and a Buzzard near the visitor centre.
The Kingfisher has been showing well most of the day from the Kingfisher screen.
Sightings for Wednesday include: Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warblers and 2 Redshank at feeding platform, Cuckoo at Lin Dike, 3 Lesser Whitethroat on the flashes, Little Owl near Newton Farm and 2 Garganey on New Flash.
Sightings for yesterday include: Bullfinch and Blackcap from Pickup hide, 2 Little Ringed Plover at Big Hole (to the right of Redshale Road), a Peregrine over the flashes and 9 Pink footed Geese also on the flashes.