It's that time of year when the woods go fairly quiet for birds. Pied flycatchers have fledged and dispersed into the top canopy making them almost impossible to spot., and it's a similar story for the redstarts. Yet there is still plenty of wildlife to see. We are enjoying yet more sunny weather at the reserve which is great for butterflies, emerging dragonflies and damselflies,not to mention the reptiles such as grass snakes and common lizard.
Naomi took the opportunity yesterday,to do the weekly butterfly transect and various species were seen.The most abundant being large whites and meadow browns. Other species on the wing were peacocks, red admirals, gatekeeper, ringlets and small copper.
The boardwalks on the red route are great at the moment for seeing common lizards basking in the sun before shooting off quickly out of sight.
For birds, there are still lapwing with juveniles on the pools at Marian Mawr plus common sandpiper with chick, lots of young little egrets and the kingfishers can be spotted from Domenlas. Green sandpiper can be seen in the pools in front of the Visitor Center.