Lovely May sunshine yesterday and not too bad today. Which means it is not difficult to hear the song of the various warblers which are claiming territories. Lockhart took this shot of a Whitethroat in a hawthorn bush yesterday.
Grasshopper Warblers are singing near the Visitor Centre, and Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler near the Wildlife Watchpoint. Remember to look for the Garganey from this hide which has lots going on at present.
These birds have spent the winter in Africa but some of our butterfies have hibernated here which is why they may look a little ragged!
Peacock,
and Small Tortoiseshell are both venturing out to mate and lay their eggs on nettles. They need large patches of nettles in nice sunny spots. No point in trying this in a small garden, it is better to concentrate on growing plants with flowers to provide them with nectar. Because Saltholme has soil that is rather too rich we have rather too many nettles but it at least helps these butterflies. These ragged survivors can be found sipping nectar on the flowers along the paths - try the dandelions near Watchpoint hide.
The Fox has cubs and Lockhart took this shot.
Thanks to Lockhart for the photos,
Peter