I thought I'd do this wildlife sightings update in the form of a series of photos...not all taken this year but featuring fabulous creatures that have been out enjoying the sunshine over the past few days...
Let's start with the songbirds...the favourite spots being Fattengates Courtyard and Hanger View
Nightingale - photo by Gareth Hughes
Chiffchaff by Graham Osborne
Common whitethroat by Chris Prince
Cuckoo by Phil Fiddes
Linnet by Gary Trew
Out on the wet grassland look for breeding waders..lapwing and redshank. As well as those who stay with us to breed, look for waders who are just passing through... over the past week or so we've seen avocet, greenshank, common sandpiper and even 6 wood sandpipers on Monday afternoon!
Lapwing by Chris Prince
Redshank by Graham Osborne
In the skies, look for buzzards & red kitess gliding on the thermals, dashing hobbies and hovering kestrels. We also had an osprey reported over the weekend.
Buzzard by Chris Prince
Hobby by Chris Prince
Kestrel by Chris Prince
We've been lucky to have a family of Tawny owls in the trees close to West Mead Hide. In order to minimise disturbance of this family we've taken the decision to temporarily close the section of the path where they have been nesting (you can still complete a circular loop of the trail). We are hoping that from time to time a member of our team will be able to open the trail to enable viewing, ensuring that everyone is keeping a respectful distance from the owl family. Sadly, we've had a few people getting rather too close and upsetting the adult who has become anxious - I hope that you'll understand that we've made this decision to protect these special birds.
Tawny owl - Gary Trew
Tawny owl chick - Graham Osborne
But it's not just about the birds - in the sunny weather our adders have been very active with dancing and mating being observed. And the first few dragonflies of the season have emerged - look for broad bodied chasers and hairy dragonflies.
Broad bodied chaser - Chris Prince
Adders by Gary Trew