Recent Sightings (23rd-26th June)
British Steel Hide
Unfortunately the high tide times have been outside of opening hours recently. But the post-breeding flocks of Gulls are fairly numerous no matter what state the tide is in. There have been 600-700 Black-headed Gulls roosting on both the NRA scrapes and the saline lagoons recently, with 4 Sandwich Terns and up to 12 Mediterranean Gulls. Also present on the 25th was a 2nd-summer Yellow-legged Gull and a Spoonbill. Up to 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Redshank and a Knot have been seen on from the hide. Curlew are numerous on the estuary but only very high tides push them up onto the lagoons. Also present on the lagoons have been 17 Cormorants, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Mute Swans and a female Wigeon.
Millennium Wetlands
Water Rail chicks were heard calling again near the Welsh Water Hide, hopefully our pair will be able to fledge chicks (not that we'd ever know!). Reed Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Cetti's Warblers are all likely to be found feeding recently fledged chicks up in reedbed section of the reserve. Goldcrest and Coal Tit juveniles have been seen in the conifers near the yard, which is the only place where that have been known to breed on site. The Black-tailed Godwit flock is still 500 birds strong, and it has included some returning adults, presumably failed breeders.
Other Wildlife
Our first Southern Hawker of the year was seen on the 24th, with Small Red-eyed Damselflies still very much on the wing, along with good numbers of Emperors, Broad-bodied Chasers, Black-tailed Skimmers and Four-spotted Chasers. Butterflies have included Red Admirals, Small and Large Skippers, Small Tortoiseshells and a Comma.
