Good news is that 3 lapwing chicks were spotted amongst the undergrowth on the island towards the end of the month. Also the oystercatcher pair seems to be settled on their nesting site and are regularly changing over sitting duties, they were joined by a third bird for a few days. Other nest sitting birds include, coot, moorhen, Canada geese and mute swan, which is occupying the same very large nest on the corner of the island that has been used for several years. On a sinister note up to 10 lesser-black-backed gulls were loitering around the lake awaiting a predation opportunity.
The sound of singing warblers has increased greatly at the reserve with willow warbler (3 noted on 13th.), whitethroat (21st.), reed (22nd.), sedge (23rd..), garden warbler (24th.), joining the earlier arrivals of chiffchaff and blackcap, which could be heard everywhere.
A male and a female wheatear have been seen around the flattened bund area since the 3rd. and 2 common tern, which showed several signs of being a pair, have returned (15th.).
The first swifts were noted on the 26th, joining the large flocks of swallows, sand martin, and house martin skimming across the lake.
Waders, particularly in the re-landscaped marsh area, included dunlin, black-tailed godwit, green sandpiper, 3 common sandpiper, 2 little-ringed plover, 8 common snipe,
Other sightings were 2 yellow wagtail, 3 white wagtail, grey wagtail, 2 kingfisher, greylag goose, willow tit, long-tailed tit, 4 reed bunting, goldfinch, 6 bullfinch, 2 meadow pipit, mistle and song thrush and green woodpecker.
On the lake up to 10 goosander and 3 goldeneye could still be seen towards the end of the month as well as great-crested and little grebe, gadwall, teal, shoveler, pochard, and wigeon and over 50 tufted duck.
A hobby was seen (27th.) as well as regular sightings of buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk.
Compiled by Colin Sedgwick
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards