A rather cool first week of August, however there were warm periods, in which plenty of dragonflies and butterflies were seen.
Birdwise, there are still plenty of young marsh harriers receiving food from their patient parents, bitterns have been seen from Fen and Tower Hide as have kingfishers. The passerines have seemingly found their summer hiding places, they are still there, but are quiet and quite indiscreet, until a feeding tit flock is found.
Insects include a good number of willow emeralds seen all over the reserve, small red eyed damselflies are viewable on the small pool next to reception and migrant hawkers are starting to fill the air.
The reserve is fully open and paths are in good condition.
Summary of breeding birds in 2017
Common bird census
2017
2016
cuckoo
2 singing males
1
cettis warbler
37 singing males
34
grasshopper warbler
6 singing males
2
sedge warbler
166 singing males
127
reed warbler
105 singing males
81
willow warbler
35 singing males
28
reed bunting
70 singing males
76
linnet
3
skylark
23 singing males
50
meadow pipit
8 singing males
13
dunnock
5
Single species surveys
Marsh harrier
21 nests
18
hobby
1 nest
bearded tit
48 first brood nests
kingfisher
2 nests offsite
bittern
2 boomers
1 probable nest, 1 possible nest
Waders and wildfowl
oystercatcher
7 pairs
8
avocet
11 pairs
26
lapwing
80 pairs
67
redshank
94 pairs
83
snipe
18 drumming males
23
mute swan
20 territorial pairs/nests
16
grey heron
4 nests
greylag goose
56 pairs
40
canada goose
14 pairs
9
egyptian goose
8 pairs
4
shelduck
24 pairs
24
gadwall
54 pairs
53
mallard
174 pairs
117
garganey
2 pairs
shoveler
52 pairs
48
pochard
tufted duck
9 pairs
Lots of stats for you there, but gives you an idea of what breeds on the reserve, the list only includes those birds surveyed, there are clearly a very large number of birds breeding which are not included. Also the surveys are mainly a snapshot of sample areas, it would be very difficult to survey the entire reedbed for example. The same locations are surveyed each year so the snapshot is directly comparable, giving us some really useful data!