This is a monthly summary, so if you want more recent nature sightings, please click on the recent sightings tag on the RSPB Middleton Lakes web page.
May started with warmer days, some cold spells, some strong and weak showers. We had a few cold days and then warm days. It finished with heavy showers and some drizzle. It was a cold month, overall.
Construction work came to an end with a single digger (or occasionally two) at work . One day there was more earth than water and the next there was more water than earth on our new wetlands. Dams holding the water back had been opened and the result is spectacular – come and see for yourselves by walking along the westside wetlands track. Bring your walking boots – the wetland paths have not been levelled yet.
Heronry. Foliage covered over the nests and activity was difficult to watch. We saw birds bringing in nesting material. There were sounds of young calling throughout the month. It was certainly quieter than last year. A few adults were flying in and out. A few juvenile sentinels were in the uppermost branches.
Feeders. We were watching the great spotted woodpecker in motion on the feeder support branches. It enjoyed sliding down, climbing up and twisting to grab a seed, several times, and stuffing them into a hole in a support branch. Its mate would come along later and take all the food. Now, it would be fun to think this as an example of family teamwork. Cooperation in nature, perhaps. We also had jay and pheasant using the feeders.
Elsewhere – we heard blackcap, cetti's warbler, chiffchaff, garden warbler, lesser whitethroat (by the brook on its way to the river), reed warbler, sedge warbler, whitethroat. Swifts were darting around the river and swallows were screeching over the play meadow. Hobby was seen flying along the canal. Cuckoo were seen chasing and courting over the site during the second week. They were calling throughout the month. Common and arctic terns were seen.
Butterflies seen were : brimstone, comma, dingy skipper, green-veined white, holly blue, large white, orange tip, peacock, small tortoiseshell, small white, speckled wood.
Dragonflies seen were: banded demoiselle, large red damselfly, common blue damselfly, broad-bodied chaser, four-spotted chaser.
A Marsh Frog was seen and heard in the reeds near the new wetlands. Hear the sounds and watch a film thanks to the BBC and Anna Benson-Gyles.
Wild Flowers. The play meadow (and elsewhere) had buttercup groups (at the back) – a wonderful display of yellow. There was woodruff in Villa wood and oxeye daisy around the north pools.
What a few months we've had – the nation had the coldest spring for 50 years and the coldest Easter on record. May - the coldest in 10 years, nationwide.
With a great thank you to everyone for your nature sightings – keep them coming in. Contact details are on the maps – a copy of which can be downloaded from the RSPB Middleton Lakes internet page and also available in the car-park.
Compiled by Nigel Palmer
Thanks Nigel, I always look forward to reading the monthly wildlife sightings.