The seabird season has finally ended with the final Sandwich Terns fledging at the beginning of the month. The final results of a very successful season are 13 Little Tern, 139 Sandwich Tern and 12 Common Tern fledged. Nevertheless, there has been a continued present of a large post breed flock of terns around Church Norton consisting predominantly of Sandwich Tern with a few common and little amongst them. Some lucky individuals would have spotted the Black and Roseate Tern present on the occasional day.
Sandwich Terns
Around the hedges after a quiet period over summer, while the bird fed their chicks, are starting to come back to life. Many juvenile birds are being joined by migrants from the north as they head off towards Africa for the winter. Redstarts, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchats and Wheatears have all been recorded around the reserve.
Pied (above) and Spotted (below) Flycatcher
The Cattle Egret that arrived last month continue their extended stay and were joined by a Squacco Heron. This started the first twitch of the season and added to the impressive number of heron/long legged wading birds species visiting the reserve with the continued present of the Spoonbills at Medmerry and two fly-over Great White Egrets.
Squacco Heron
Ospreys have once again headed south through the reserve as well as hobby’s as the number of hirundines increase to epic proportions, with 5000-10000 roosting at Medmerry one evening. And it is not just the bird rarity that appear on the reserve, insect can also produce the odd surprise with a Portland Ribband wave trapped being a first for the reserve.
Portland Ribband Wave
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon