As May comes to an end, most of the expected summer visitors are in full attendance and have progressed to starting their new families. Spring proved very quiet with no unusual sightings to spark our bird watchers in to action. As June began the two most interesting sightings were two Spoonbill and a male Garganey on the Stilt Pools.
This period of the year is always perceived as a quiet period for birds but that’s not true. Many birds are around but as they are raising families do not announce their presence in case of alerting predators. The visitor centre has followed many such families from the Tawny Owl which reared 3 young, two blue tits nest which have now successfully fledged to our Kestrel family which can still be seen, but hurry if you wish to see the fast growing chicks you will need to visit in the next week as they will leave the nest to star their own life.
However, our seabird colony breaks the mould, they do not hide away but proclaim their presence with vigour. A continued squabbling with neighbours in this tightly packed living arrangement with terns. This also warns potential predators that they will be met with an equally distasteful greeting. The colony consists of Little, Sandwich and Common Tern, Black Headed and Mediterranean Gull with the odd pair of Oystercatchers. As we speak the island is teaming with chicks and all fingers are crossed for a successful fledging in a few weeks time. (photos taken under licence)
Sandwich Tern adult and Chick
Little Tern Chick
Med Gull
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon