In the last week there has been a real burst of Spring with some glorious sunny weather over the weekend. Insects are constantly emerging during the warmer weather while trees and flowers are blossoming into life to feed the hungry insects.
White-tailed bumblebee feeding on willow by Gavin Chambers
An increase in insects is the perfect time for our summer migrants to start arriving and refuel, before moving further north or to start setting up territory. Our first migrant to arrive was the chiffchaff that was first heard on the 20th March but it wasn’t until the 25th when they arrived in good numbers and can now be heard all around the reserve.
Next to arrive was a wheatear on the moors along the Dinas Mawddwy road at Gadfa on the 24th March, with 3 present the next day. This valley is a good spot for looking for migrants as they pass through the area and this was certainly the case on the 27th March when a male ring ouzel was found feeding among a small flock of fieldfare around the farm buildings. A flock of at least 23 sand martins feeding over the lake on the same day are the most recent migrants to arrive.
Male ring ouzel at Gadfa by Gavin Chambers
Wheatear, ring ouzel and sand martin along with the first curlew back on the moors and a flyover linnet have taken my winter list, which ends on the 31st March, to 90. There is still a chance for a swallow and perhaps a flyover osprey if I’m lucky before the end of the week.
At this time of year it is hard to not notice the arrival of new born lambs and our RSPB farm is no different with lambing now up and running. We have a chance for you to experience lambing on our farm with events throughout April, check out our website for more details – Booking is essential!
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