A highlight of the week has been the lapwing chick count. There’s now a minimum of 41 chicks, ranging from newly-hatched to nearly-fledging. There are probably more lurking in the longer vegetation.
They’re not the only youngsters. Owls (we believe barn owls) chose to breed in the Sulwath Garden and they now have chicks. Perhaps you’ll be able to hear some cheeping if you stand by the trees.
You might also be lucky enough to see the roe deer fawn down the main track, whose mother is keeping it well hidden in the grass.
In moth news, we’ve had the first poplar hawkmoth, a white ermine, flame shoulders, and a nut-tree tussock of the year. When they’re taken out of the mothtrap in the morning, many moths start preparing to fly by warming up their flight muscles, which we can see as their wings vibrating. For the chunky poplar hawkmoths, it can take a while.
Photo: poplar hawkmoth warming up its flight muscles
Our most recent natterjack toad survey was a success with 47 individuals, most of them calling males. As if that wasn’t enough, we had a close encounter with a juvenile otter that was crouching quietly in the ditch, its snout sniffing us out.
You’re in for a treat if you’re seeking out redpolls. There have been good sightings from the Visitor Centre, and more of stonechats from around the reserve.
As usual, the swallows are recklessly whizzing about. They’ve been joined by the house martins who are currently building a nest above the front door of the Sulwath Centre.
Photo: house martin
Last, but not least, a small common frog took a wrong turn and has just been found in the women’s toilet at the very same Sulwath Centre. There’s no private moment when nature’s involved.