I’m suffering a little bit from post-holiday blues, having spent the past week or so exploring Scotland, visiting some of our lovely RSPB reserves and searching (and in many cases finding) some great wildlife.
I have been cheered up however by a brief stroll through our newly planted meadow, and a report from one of our wardens...
Our RSPB Phoenix youth group has been working on our wildflower meadow – just beyond the picnic and play area – over the past year, preparing the ground and planting British wildflower seeds. Last year we had a great display of poppies and corn marigolds over the summer month. This spring has seen the first appearance of ox-eye daisies, or to give them their more romantic name ‘moon daisies’. Enjoying the ever improving diversity of flowers were a handful of common blue butterflies – my first of the year.
The report from one of our wardens was that nightjars have arrived for the summer and can be heard churring on the heath, alongside hooting tawny owls. This was particularly pleasing to hear as I have an ‘after dark’ event coming up this Saturday!
Over the last few days, sightings (during daylight hours) have included garganey, nightingale, garden warbler, sedge warbler, reed warbler. A selection of waders has been passing through – wood sandpiper, greenshank, redshank and little ringed plover. If you are in search of cute fluffy youngsters than you need look no further than the North Brooks and its brood of adorable shelducklings (also known as little fluffy humbugs).
As well as my common blue butterflies, feisty small copper butterflies, 4 spotted chaser dragonflies and azure damselflies are enjoying the sunny spells.
Four-spotted chaser dragonfly - as always thanks to volunteer Chris for his lovely photos!
If you are keen to come and hear nightjar and encounter some of our other nocturnal creatures we have a number of events coming up:
‘After dark’ evening walks on Saturday 24 and Friday 30 May will involve moths, bats, nightjars and newts.
‘3 churs and a clap’ events on Thursday 05 and Wednesday 11 June will focus primarily on our nightjars.
We do have some spaces left so if you are interested please give us a call.