For the past month we have seen the cold cloudy weather take a grip on things, however for the bank holiday weekend we have some much needed warmth. High pressure is predicted to remain for the first half of June too, so we should see a lot more insect life appearing in the coming weeks.
Our first swallowtail was seen on Friday 28th, which is 11 days later than average emergence, so they have wisely waited for the warmer conditions to appear before emerging. We still only have one or two individuals on the wing from the reports I have heard so far, so I think they may need a few more days of warmth before sightings increase in number and the butterflies move from the fen habitat to the trailside nectar patches.
This week we have also seen the reserves first bluethroat! A male was heard singing early in the week but only at dawn, unfortunately the bird has now moved on but it gives us hope that this fantastic species will one day call the fen home, especially looking at the increase in population on the near continent.
Bluethroat by Adrian Samuels
Other bird species being seen regularly include hobby, marsh harrier, booming bittern, cuckoo, reed, sedge, grasshopper and willow warblers as well as chiffchaff, blackcap and bearded tit. the kingfishers are still about and can be seen on occasion, but it appears as though they are not yet feeding young.
Dragonflies have responded well to the warmth and the reserve list so far for this year includes large-red, variable, azure and blue-tailed damselflies, hairy dragonfly, black-tailed skimmer and banded demoiselle. The first Norfolk hawkers are also just starting to emerge so we should start to see these soon too.
Trail/hide conditions-Currently all trails are open; Both the woodland and the fen circuits are fully open; The Lackford Run is still wet in places, particularly after a high tide so be aware that wellingtons/waterproof footwear may be required for the mud. The 'wet meadow' trail is open, at present it is just the first compartment that is open due to cattle grazing in the second, once again waterproof footwear may be required as the meadow is wet. Fen Hide and Tower Hides are both open, please note the need for face coverings and restricted numbers within the hides, indicated by signs on the hides.
We often get very busy at this time of the year and our small car park cannot always cope with the visitor numbers, particularly at weekends, so if you are able to visit during the week rather than the weekend, you should find parking much more straightforward.
It certainly feels much more like May out there at the moment, hopefully this warm weather will take hold and all of the invertebrates can catch up with a bit of a lost month. In the last blog I spoke of an invert explosion when the weather warms up….. it appears as though we are now finally experiencing it!