What a cracking weekend the Bank Holiday was with wall to wall sunshine and temperatures soaring.
On Saturday 6th May we held our annual Dawn Chorus walk to tie in with International Dawn Chorus day. The birds around the picnic area and car park were in full song although the reedbed birds were having a lie in. However nonetheless everyone enjoyed their morning.
As I was in that day leading the walk I then decided to see how many different species of bird I could see or hear on and from the reserve. The table below shows what I recorded that day, totalling 100 species. Other birds on the reserve that day included: Hobby, Swift, Short-eared owl, House Sparrow, Great spotted woodpecker, Tawny owl.
Not to be outdone one of our regular birders on Tuesday and also joined the 100 club for 2018 by reaching 103. The key to success is to arrive here early to catch some birds passing over the reserve and the morning dawn chorus. By 9am you could have a list of 80 species. At high tide head spend some time sea watching where you might see Fulmars, Gannets, Common Scoter and the odd diver. Head back to the Freshmarsh where birds can drop in throughout the day, have a quick rest or feed before heading off again. Although I didn't spend the evening here, this provides an opportunity to perhaps catch up with the owls that frequent Titchwell or see birds that come in to roost for the night.
If you decide to take on the challenge do let us know.
The week also provided a reserve first, in the form of a drake American Wigeon that was on Patsy's reedbed mid morning on 9th May. Photo by Les Bunyan.
To finish off here are some of the highlights seen across the reserve this week
The sun has also bought out plenty of butterflies, the first Hairy Dragonflies and on the beach the Dune Tiger Beetles started to emerge. As you can it is a great time to visit and there is something for everyone.
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