Wednesday (13 April) turned out to be a glorious day and lucky for some people. This year we are carrying out Common Bird Censuses (CBC’s) of all the broad-leaved woodland under our management, which totals around 170ha. The method requires 6 visits to each wood throughout the breeding season from mid-March to the end of June.
The view at the end of the woodland survey!
At this time of year the summer woodland migrants are just starting to arrive and despite none being seen on Tuesday the woods were alive with pied flycatcher and redstart the following day. This sudden increase in migrants is often referred to as a good fall of migrants, which relates to birds falling out of the sky, though this is generally only seen along the coast with the right weather conditions and at the right time of year.
Pied flycatcher by Gavin Chambers (taken last year)
The best place to see these migrants is along the Blue or Yellow Trails where tree pipit can also be seen and heard doing their parachute display flight and song. Another migrant that has arrived is a male ring ouzel at Gadfa along the Dinas Mawddwy road, a couple first seen on the 12 April with one still present on 14 April along with a late fieldfare who should be heading back to Scandinavia very soon.
Male ring ouzel by Gavin Chambers at Gadfa
Perhaps the most interesting record for the reserve on Wednesday were 2 little egrets that were first seen flying east high over the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel at 8am and assumed to have just been passing. But at 7pm two were seen roosting in trees along the edge of the lake near Eunant. The last record of little egret at Lake Vyrnwy was in 2007 (and is a nice addition to my list!).
Melangyna lasiophthalma by Gavin Chambers
Given the glorious weather on Wednesday it was no surprise to see a few more insects on the wing. A peacock butterfly was seen behind the shop and I managed to see my first hoverfly of the year, a melangyna lasiophthalma which is a first for me and one of the earlier species to emerge.
Don’t forget to check out our Lambing on the Farm events each weekend throughout April and finishing on 1 May. Please book early to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited!
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