The first hobby chick fledged yesterday! I'll keep you posted with news on the hobby watch dates this week, as the other two chicks are likely to fledge before the weekend.
Away from the hobbys; yesterday two ravens flew across the new heath 'kronking' away, a large group of swifts came down and fed over the new heath getting the attention of one of the hobby's which came over to investigate them, and two or three swallows passed through. A male kestrel flew over near the visitor centre, a couple of juvenile green woodpeckers were spotted around the reserve - 10 mistle thrushes flew up from Sandy Ridge and the juvenile buzzard was constantly whining away trying to get more feeds from its busy parents!
The line of lavender leading to the shop is full of bees and hoverflies, and a painted lady butterfly worked its way along the purple flowers. Common lizards are becoming more noticeable again, and two very small baby lizards were on the log near the visitor centre.
Adult hobby with dragonfly by Rob Gilmore. Note the dragonfly wing dropping off in the left hand corner!
Juvenile green woodpecker; Image credit Rob Gilmore.
Red-legged partridge, the pair at the hidenow have some little baby's.