News of the month concerned the discovery of two juvenile Turtle Doves on 15th, which had clearly been hatched on site. Despite there being up to six territories of the species this year, proving breeding was looking like a difficult task so it was nice to confirm they had bred. The best area to see them was in the orchard where they joined up to 4 adults and at least 20 Collared Doves. Quite why so many doves were attracted to this particular part of the reserve we're not sure. There was a plentiful bounty of fruit on the trees and quite often doves were seen perched up in the trees as well as on the tree cages. It seems unlikely they were eating fruit though... In other news, a White Stork flew over Oxholme on 18th heading west and the Glossy Ibis flocks continued, spending time between Moore and Ferry. Also during the month the following were recorded around the reserve:
Other wildlife sightings consisted of a Clouded Yellow butterfly along the entrance road on 8th and 3 Otters on Ferry on 28th
Freshly fledged juvenile Turtle Dove at Fen Drayton Lakes
Henry Cook Assistant Warden – Fen Drayton Lakes