As everyone will be aware it’s been a slow and cold start to spring, if it has indeed arrived. Typical signs of spring have only really started showing in the last couple of weeks with the first significant sunny and warm days here at Lake Vyrnwy.
One sign of spring that is predictable, or at least more predictable, is the arrival of the first lambs on the farm. There are over 2000 ewes that lamb each year from mid-March to early May, so you can imagine just how busy the farm staff are going to be over the next month! I’m sure they, along with many others, will be hoping that the wintry weather forecast for Monday will not be too bad.
New born twin lambs on the farm
If you fancy experiencing some lambing why not check out our events page (HERE) for more details and book onto an event, which run every weekend throughout April. Note that BOOKING is ESSENTIAL as there are limited spaces and they fill up fast.
With snow covered hill tops, birds have been slow to arrive back on the moorland but meadow pipits, skylark and stonechat have all been heard singing in the last couple of weeks. Our first hen harriers have also been seen hunting over the hillsides, curlew have been back for a few weeks and our peregrines at looking to select their favoured nesting ledge. These peregrine can be seen on the rocky cliff face opposite the Lakeside Hide.
Male hen harrier back at Lake Vyrnwy by Gavin Chambers
The majority of summer migrants will arrive in April, but the first chiffchaff (28th Mar) has been heard singing by the Centenary Hide and a ring ouzel just off the reserve along the road to Bala on the same day. Try the road to Bala or Dinas Mawddwy for a chance to spot a ring ouzel in the next few weeks and keep an eye on the skies as an osprey could pass over at any minute at this time of year.
Common crossbill (2 juveniles and male in centre) by Gavin Chambers
A couple of our resident birds have already got on with the breeding season, common crossbill have already bred and juvenile birds have been seen among flocks around the reserve. Goshawk are typically earlier displayers and with a couple of sunny days last weekend they became quite active with a pair seen displaying over the road heading towards Penybont Fawr.
Gavin Chambers, Warden
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