It’s a very interesting time of year at the reserve at the moment. We still have some winter migrants on the reserve feeding themselves up before their long journeys north to their breeding grounds and we have some summer migrants beginning to appear. The local bird species are also preparing themselves for the breeding season building nests and singing their beautiful songs across the reserve. Below is list of some of the birds that have been spotted recently on the reserve.
Pink-footed Geese
There are still some geese feeding on the grassy fields surrounding the loch.
Pink footed goose, Image - RSPB
Great White Egret
Not a common visitor to the reserve, it has been giving visitors some great views from the Fen Hide.
Great White Egret, Image - RSPB
Little Egret
This smaller species of egret has been spotted from both Fen Hide and from the visitor centre.
Black-tailed Godwits
A couple of these birds in their beautiful breeding plumage have been seen on the pools in front of the visitor centre.
Black-tailed Godwit, Image - RSPB
Black-headed Gulls
The Black-headed gulls have started to pair up and scout out possible nesting sites on our island in front of the visitor centre
Little Gull
An adult and a juvenile have been seen from the visitor centre so we will be keeping our fingers crossed that they breed again on the reserve this year.
Little gull, Image – Morwenna Egan
Sandwich Terns
A number of these lovely little birds have been spotted flying along the beach and dunes over the last week or two.
Corn Bunting, Yellow Hammer, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff
All of these species have been singing their beautiful songs across the reserve comfirming that spring has definitely arrived!
Yellowhammer, Image – Katie Bell
Sand Martin
They can be seen flying low over the water of the loch hunting for insects, with great views of them from Fen and Bay hide.
Swallows
Swallows have also recently arrived on the reserve.
Great Crested Grebe
Was spotted on the loch from our Fen hide.
It will be exciting to see what species we have coming to the reserve over the next few weeks as the breeding season begins.
Katie Bell
Reserve Intern