This was a recipe for a very busy day on the reserve; in fact one of the busiest ever, and the visitors never stopped streaming through the doors all day. It started well with three Common Terns found on the mirror-flat Thames by Rich Jones and two adult Med Gulls ‘kowwed’ their way up river before heading over the marsh and onto a few year lists. Further along three Sedge Warblers did the decent thing and sang as predicted from the river wall although I may have to wait till tomorrow to get my chance of one.
Mediterranean Gulls (Alan Shearman)
Buzzards were again on the move with 15 seen heading north east but there were no obvious migrant Marsh Harriers unlike yesterday. A very nice selection of waders were seen once again including four lovely rusty Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, two Avocets, now two Greenshank and the usual Curlews and two of our Little Ringed Plovers.
Black-tailed Godwits (Alan Shearman)
The Garganey remained faithful to the Bogwood Pool where I saw them last night and a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins trickled through while a new Willow Warbler and a male Wheatear were seen down near the Serin Mound.
Garganey (Lawrence Rogers)
Amazingly TWO Red-legged Partridges were seen today... together while the Marsh Frog chorus was ramping up to outdo the cacophony of Cetti’s Warblers!
Lots more insect activity today with Small Tort, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, the first Speckled Wood, Small White and Brimstone being seen along with many more Bumbles and flies including the first Yellow Dung Fly of the season.
Yellow Dung Fly, Brimstone and Small White (Lawrence Rogers)
The weather is set to continue so a week to look forward to I think....