Sorry for the lack of posts but I have been away on a well deserved break in Lesvos. Ok, so a bit of a Busmans Holiday but the birding, weather, food, scenery and other wildlife was amazing.
Been back two days and on the reserve from 0300 this morning for our first of two Dawn chorus events. Everyone is still out with the the walk leaders at the moment but despite the forecast, the day has started clear, bright, sunny, calm and actually quite warm. Not sure what they have seen and heard so far but from my position in the centre all the warblers can be heard in full song along with Skylark, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Song Thrushes, Blackbird, Cuckoo, Lapwings, Shelduck and of course the Marsh Frogs.
Skylark by Tony Coombs
Sedge Warbler by Tony Coombs
While I was away things were pretty quiet with strong northerly winds, cool temperatures and rain. As such new migrants were a little thin on the ground but Whimbrel continued to pass through and three Black Terns dropped in on the 2nd.
Whimbrel by Les Harrison
Black Terns by Paul Hawkins
Other wildlife out on the site at the moment includes some groovy spiders
Zebra Jumping Spider by me
and (don't laugh!) even some charismatic hoverflies such as this long snouted one which goes by the colloquial name of the Heineken Fly as it reaches the parts other flies can not reach!
Rhingia campestris by me as well!
That's all for now, got to go and make sure the sausages and bacon are ready for the return of the walkers! The next Dawn Chorus will be on Sunday May 23 at 4am and the reserve will also be open for general access at this time.