The wind continues to blow from the north to give the reserve an unseasonal chill to the air, which has probable lead to a quieter than expected migration period. However things changed slightly on the last weekend of the month with not one but two interesting birds appearing on Ferry Pool. Firstly our love affair with Black Winged Stilts was revived with the arrival of a 2nd cy bird which may have been one of the young birds reared at Medmerry last year. Then a day later a summer plumage Red Necked Phalarope was found at ferry Pool, whizzing around like a little clockwork toy.
Red Necked Phalarope
As spring moves in to summer many of the passage waders are coming in to summer plumage Dunlin, Sanderling and Little Stint have all been observed at Church Norton over the period.
Sanderling
As May has progressed many of the small birds have slowly become less visible but you can still hear them around the hedgerows. Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcaps and even the Nightingale continue to sing through the month.
At the Visitor Centre a Blue Tit has set up home in the nest box overlooking the picnic area and is delighting many of the visitors as the parents feed their young.
Blue Tit outside Visitor Centre
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon