Sunny sightings

The sun has finally returned to Middleton!

After months of rain, wind and muddy paths, the sun has decided to come out and the wildlife is responding in spectacular style, although the paths are still a bit muddy.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the last few weeks has got to be the presence of 2 Avocets that spent most of Tuesday 25th frequenting Jubilee Wetlands and the North Pit. Tuesday proved to be the day to be out as 8 Pintail were seen on the North Pit and Ringed plover, Dunlin and Green sandpiper were on Jubilee.

The feeders are attracting birds throughout the day with Nuthatch, Great spotted woodpecker and Lesser redpolls a regular feature. However, the recent presence of 3 Brambling (1 male and 2 female) certainly justify spending a good few minutes there. A Lesser-spotted woodpecker was seen today and Treecreepers are seen most days in the woodland

Look out in the woodland for the flowers appearing as the Bluebells are coming up in their hundreds and the smell of Wild garlic is starting to stand out on a calm day.

It is great fun watching the Heronry at the moment as you can see the Herons squabbling for position, tumbling out of the sky and carrying sticks that, relative to us, would be like carrying a lamppost! One Heron that I watched on Wednesday had chosen a stick so large that it crashed as it came into the nest and had to land on an outer branch and walk with this stick dragging along behind, needless to say, Mrs Heron was not amused. Anyway, the current count stands at 18 occupied nests and at least 7 pairs sitting and hopefully more to come but check our Heron count board on the boardwalk for regular number updates.

The new Heron counter, for up to date Heron info!

There are still Stonechats a plenty with 3 pairs enjoying the vantage point from the new electric fence and the Cetti's warblers are warming up the vocal chords for Spring as they burst out a tune from the scrub by the river.

The Starlings are still using the reserve to roost in the evenings and most of the time, you wont have to leave the car. They have now chosen to roost in the Heronry silt pool and they can be viewed from the Heronry boardwalk or the car park. The last few nights has seen over 4000 roosting, regularly with a Sparrowhawk in tow and it is spectacular to see and hear them as they pass within feet over your head, although a hat and coat are recommended. Our intern, David, currently holds the record for 'poo strikes' at an impressive 7!

Keep a look out for Little egrets when watching the Starling roost, 16 came into the Heronry on Wednesday night before it got dark, fingers crossed for a Great white egret...

Other birds around site include 100's of Redwing and singing Skylark in the meadow areas, a singing Chiffchaff by the river and Goldeneye still moving between the reserve, the River and Dosthill. Wigeon, Gadwall, Shelduck, Shoveler and Teal are enjoying the wetlands and the Black-headed gulls are returning. They can be heard as you walk through the canal meadow, squawking loudly from Jubilee and Fishers Mill, most of them are now starting to develop their black heads.

So with the birds pairing up, the woodland flowers emerging and the water levels going down, it looks like we are in for an exciting Spring. It wont be long before we can welcome the first few migrants of Spring, my prediction, a Wheatear and Sand martins before the month is out, watch this space...