Just a brief report to keep you informed.
Marsh harrier: male and female bringing food; when will we see a fledgling?
Barn owl: large chick visible in nest box.
Turtle dove: at least four males singing, possibly as many as six; first juvenile seen on 4th July.
Spotted flycatcher: one along the track on the eastern side of the reserve, seen twice; is there a pair? If you see one, please try to follow it and find a nest!
Kingfisher: not nested on the reserve this year, but up to three have been seen recently; great tits nesting in the kingfisher bank at Spring Hide.
Tufted duck: neither of our pairs seem to have produced any ducklings.
Post-breeding wader passage started in late June as usual, but we have seen more birds this year, probably because there is more mud exposed by the mere. Lapwings have been obvious, with a peak count of 92 so far. Green sandpipers have dropped in in ones and twos, plus single redshank and greenshank. Little ringed plover numbers have been exceptional, with up to five being recorded nearly every day for the last fortnight.
Two common terns have been calling in every day this month.
Otter: several sightings of up to three in late June and early July, from Reedbed and Drewer Hides and by the barn owl viewpoint.