Yesterday morning saw the spring officially start as we carried out the first of many survey visits. All of our 'key' species are monitored on an annual basis to allow us to assess their populations and how successful (or not!) our management has been. As you can imagine, the next couple of months become very busy with lots of early morning starts. Once you get used to it though, it is the best time of the day to be out.
Our first visit was to look and listen for Cetti's warbler. Thankfully they have a very distinctive, explosive song making them easy to count. Although a species reedbed, they tend to be found nesting along its edges where there is a tangle of brambles or some thick willow scrub for protection. This first survey (our of three) found 3 males in the main reedbed and one just off Gypsy Lane in Church Marsh. Last year we recorded 7 males so it will be interesting to see if the cold weather this winter has affected them.
While 'out and about' there is always time to record other species. Yesterday we had the bittern booming from the reedbed, barn owl and a female hen harrier hunting and three tree sparrows on the feeders. Several small groups of swallow and sand martin were passing through west as well as a group of 7 magpies. They may be common birds but they do migrate.