Today's sightings-butterflies on safari, new waders arrive
General news
So far this week we have recorded 20 species of wading bird on the scrapes or estuary. Large flocks are building up and a few scarcer species have arrived after thunderstorms. The Landrover safari's have been very productive with the usual wildlife including Grass Snakes, Hobbies and Amphibians (Toads and Newts) but special mention must be made for the huge numbers of Butterflies and Dragonflies, it is a bumper year and we are seeing a great variety.
Butterflies noted this week up to today include Large and Small White, Brimstone, Small Copper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Essex and Large Skipper.
Landrover safari's head out at 1100am ad 2pm on weekends, daily during the holidays (subject to weather). Check for times on arrival at admissions. We also offer group bookings.
South Lake
Wood Sandpiper 1 juvenile for 5 minutes with 4 Green Sandpiper
Bar-tailed Godwit- a first summer
Little ringed Plover adult
Black-tailed Godwit 106 including 2 juveniles
Redshank 95 including 6 juveniles
Ruff male
Dunlin 1
Shoveler 9
Teal 8
Great Crested Grebe adult with four chicks
Common Tern pair incubating eggs
Black-headed Gull 320 inc 40 juveniles
Little Egret 2
Whimbrel seen in the afternoon
Tack Piece
Wood Sandpiper 2 juveniles present today, together.
Some images of one of the two Juvenile Wood Sandpiper with juvenile Green Sandpiper for comparison. Pics by M.J.McGill taken from Robbie Garnett Hide.
Green Sandpiper 9
Redshank 1
Black-tailed Godwit 4 juveniles (pale, long billed probably limosa not islandica)
Little ringed Plover juvenile
Zeiss Hide
Reed Warblers- abundant and showy
Ruff 1 female
Green Sandpiper 3
Dunlin 22
Lapwing 215
Snipe 3
Greenshank 4
Gadwall 12
Teal 30
Crane 2- Great Crane project birds
Sand Martin 2
Hobby- hawking insects over Bottom New piece ditch
Little ringed Plover 1 juvenile here and Bottom New Piece.
Holden Tower
Barnacle Goose 13
Dark-bellied Brent 1
Shelduck 90
Canada Goose 35
Whimbrel 6
Avocet 2
Dunlin 43
Ringed Plover 3
Sanderling 2
Red Knot 6
Little Egret 3
Grey Heron 3
Peregrine 1
Rushy
Avocet 8
