This week at Titchwell we welcomed the first avocet chicks into the world and completed our monthly WeBS count.
Car Park, visitor centre & woodland
On Saturday 14 May a Turtle dove was heard briefly in the car park but has not been heard since. A Spotted flycatcher arrived on Sunday 15 May which increased to two birds on Tuesday 17 May. They were often seen at the top of the trees, so do keep looking up.
Also, on Sunday 15 May a Garden warbler was heard close to the tank road, a Whinchat was on the Thornham grazing marsh fence line and a ringtail Hen harrier flew over the grazing marsh.
Turtle dove, Phill Gwilliams
Reedbed & East Trail
The surprise for Saturday 14 May was a Bittern booming in the reedbed, the last time we heard one boom was in late March. It has since been heard booming a couple of times over recent days.
The three Great white egrets continue to appear around the reedbed along with several Little egrets who are hunting on the ditch edges.
Some of the Marsh harriers are bringing food into their nest site whilst others continue to bring in some nest material.
The first Bearded tit broods were spotted by visitors at the weekend, though are they are proving to be very elusive.
The Grasshopper warblers continue to be heard along the east trail and on Thornham grazing marsh.
A Hobby has flown over on a couple of occasions recently and a Crane flew over eastwards on Monday 16 May.
Cuckoo, Les Bunyan
Freshmarsh
On the Freshmarsh this week we counted a record breaking 88 Avocet nests – the highest count the reserve has ever had. We have also seen the first of these nests hatching, so we expect to see lots of chicks over the coming weeks.
On Monday 16 May during WeBs we counted 16 Common sandpipers, 87 Black-tailed godwits, 1 Bar-tailed godwit, plus Turnstones, Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Grey plover and Ringed plover. In the afternoon a partial summer plumaged Curlew sandpiper dropped in briefly.
A drake Gargeny appeared yesterday on the central bund along with 30 Ringed plovers and 8 Dunlin. Little terns, Common terns and Sandwich terns are appearing in various numbers throughout the day and a Little gull has become a regular feature.
Two Spoonbills are frequenting the Freshmarsh and saltmarsh.
Garganey, Les Bunyan
Volunteer Marsh & Tidal Marsh
At high tide on Monday 16 May there were 4 Turnstones, 38 Oystercatchers, 21 Ringed plovers, 7 Grey plovers, 2 Little ringed plovers, 6 Dunlins and a Little stint came in off the sea.
Little terns and Common terns can also be observed fishing on here.
Little tern, Les Bunyan
Beach & Sea
On Monday 16 May at Thornham Point, the highlight was a flyover Citrine wagtail that headed towards Holme plus 4 Wheatears, a Cuckoo, 100 Ringed plovers and 80 Sanderlings on the beach.
The sea is mainly comprised of fishing little terns, common terns and sandwich terns.
Sanderling, Les Bunyan
All nature
The Southern marsh orchids on the meadow trail have reached about 150 spikes, also amongst them is some ragged robin.
Butterflies this week have included: Painted lady, Speckled wood, Wall, Red admiral, Brimstone, Green veined white and orange tip.
Dragonflies & damselflies this week have included: Hairy and Four spotted chaser dragonflies, Blue tail damselfly, Large red damselfly, Variable damselfly and Azure damselfly
Report your sightings
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