Migrants continued to arrive this week. Our first Pied Flycatcher was a male along the Yellow trail on the 13th, with the first Ring Ouzel (female along the Dinas Mawddwy road) and House Martin (over moors) seen on the same day. The first Cuckoo was heard early morning on the 16th during a Black Grouse survey along with the first few Whinchat. With an influx of Willow Warblers on the 17th came the first Blackcaps in full song along the Yellow trail and the first Redstart at the top of the Blue trail.
Pied Flycatcher (male) along Yellow Trail (17th April - Gavin Chambers)
This week saw the team of field workers starting Black Grouse surveys, which unfortunately means very early starts. So on the 16th the team were up at 2am and were off wandering the moors from 4am listening out for bubbling Black Grouse and ‘gobacking’ Red Grouse. A few Black Grouse, males and females, were heard and/or seen and a good number of Red Grouse were spread across the heather clad moorland. Tawny Owl, Ring Ouzel, Golden Plover, Cuckoo, Whinchat and Stonechat were also recorded during the grouse surveys.
Immature Goshawk over Yellow Trail (8th April - Gavin Chambers)
Other sightings from around the reserve have included a pair of Mandarin off the dam on the 14th and an immature Goshawk has been seen a few times from the Yellow/Blue trails. Otter has been seen within the last couple of weeks, a Weasel was seen up on the moors and Toads have been very active in pools including outside the Centenary Hide.
Lamb having a piggy back along Blue Trail (18th April - Gavin Chambers)
All around the lake you will see fields full of newly born lambs. Lambing began back in March but is still continuing at the RSPB farm and you have an opportunity to see Live Lambing for yourself over the next few weekends, see website for details.