Hi,
After late March’s large Chiffchaff arrival spring bird migration slowed through the first week of April and with fog and rain dominating this probably wasn’t too big a surprise. The conservation team are a committed bunch however and whilst out and about on the reserve managed to observe a few migrants which had decided to power through the difficult conditions. Single Sand Martins were seen on three separate occasions, the first Willow Warbler of the year (Yellow Trail, 4th), two Wheatear in fields behind the hotel and flocks of 12 and 5 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls over the lake.
After a spell of persistent rain the dam and surrounding waterfalls looked spectacular.
In comparison the second week of April was a lot more settled allowing migrant birds to filter into and over the reserve. Year firsts for Lake Vyrnwy included, Osprey (flyover, 10th), Swallow (flyover, 10th), Common Redstart (Blue Trail, 9th) and Blackcap (Sculpture Park, 11th). A single Fieldfare observed from the Blue Trail (9th) was probably on its way to Scandinavia for the summer.
The lake played host to 4x Cormorant, 6x Canada Goose, 6x Goosander (roosting, 4th) and a small number of Mallard Duck. Following the river downstream of the dam, Grey Heron, 2x Dipper and Grey Wagtail were sighted. Peregrine Falcon could also be spotted perched up on cliffs from the Lakeside Hide.
Bird feeders around the Visitor Centre and Coed y Capel hide played host to a variety of species including, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling (single female, 6th), Goldfinch, Greenfinch and lots of Siskin.
Good numbers of Siskin continue to use the reserve bird feeders. Look how bright green the male bird (top right) is compared to the three females.
Goat Willow (Pussy Willow) and Blackthorn put on a fantastic flowering display in the car parks with the large yellow male catkins of goat willow proving popular with freshly emerged bumblebees.
The blue and yellow trails continue to be productive areas for watching wildlife with Common Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, all six of the common tit species (Great, Coal, Blue, Marsh, Willow and Long-tailed Tit), Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, 9+ Pied Wagtail, Jay and Lesser Redpoll seen on a regular basis.
Macrolepidoptera Of The Week
At the beginning of April the Lake Vyrnwy mothing season commenced and this week I’m introducing a new feature to the blog in which we’ll showcase some of the weird and wonderful moth species that call the reserve home.
So what are macrolepidoptera? Strictly speaking the term is used by both professional and citizen scientists to group together the larger moths and the small moths, well they’re microlepidoptera. However, confusingly some micro moths are larger than their macro relatives.
Oak Beauty is this week’s top moth. Common in the UK and an inhabitant of mature deciduous woodland, this attractive chestnut and white macro really stood out from the crowd.
This week's top moth the Oak Beauty.
Cheers,
Adam