American Wigeon, Little Gull, Little Stint, Garganey, Otters, and more!
We've also had our first records of damselfly and dragonfly for the year - so summer is not far away! Read on for all the details.
From glittering insects over sun-warmed pools to scarce migrants dropping in for a rest, the wetlands are absolutely brimming with wild stories right now.
Wildlife highlights 22 April to 4 May 2026
Highlights: Tufted Loosestrife, American Wigeon, Little Gull, Southern Marsh Orchid, Garganey, Little Stint
Wetland birds have been keeping us on our toes! On 24 April, a Little Gull spiced up the Freshwater Lagoon, with its buoyant flight and neat, compact shape making it a real treat to pick out amongst the Black-headed Gull colony. Then on 28 April, two elegant Avocet dropped in with their sweeping black-and-white patterning and upturned bill.
Meanwhile, the tiniest traveller has stolen plenty of hearts. On 27 April, a Little Stint was found on the Freshwater Lagoon and has stayed since. These tiny wading birds are no bigger than a Great Tit, breeding way up on the tundra and only occasionally passing through the UK on migration, so watching one delicately pick its way along the muddy margins feels like witnessing a moment from another continent.
Also on the Lagoon, two Little Ringed Plover have been regular companions lately. They’ve been showing beautifully, and we’re quietly optimistic they may nest soon, a hopeful sign that the habitat is just right.
Over on Dafen Scrapes, a drake American Wigeon was found on 26 April and it’s been faithfully lingering ever since, splitting its time between Dafen Scrapes and Deep Water Lake. Add to that our ongoing mystery visitor: a Pink-footed Goose, which has been hanging around for the last few weeks and was most recently seen again on Dafen Scrapes.
And just when you think the duck list can’t get more exciting, 29 and 30 April brought a pair of Garganey to Deep Water Lake, and sightings of the handsome couple have continued since.
Also on Deep Water Lake, three Mediterranean Gull have been regularly seen among the Black-headed Gull colony, and we’re hopeful they may decide to nest. Over in the Reedbeds, the soundtrack of the week has been the unmistakable call of a Cuckoo, carrying across the swaying stems and making everything feel wonderfully, unmistakably seasonal.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also had regular Otter sightings, including an unforgettable moment on 27 April, when three were seen together. Even a brief glimpse of an otter feels like a privilege; three at once is the kind of wildlife memory that makes you question your eyes.
In the plant world, our first Southern Marsh Orchid was seen flowering on 28 April, and it may be one of our earliest ever. We’ve also recorded strong numbers of Tufted Loosestrife flowering in new locations this week. This is a rare plant in Britain, and seeing it establish and spread is exactly the kind of quiet conservation success that makes these wetlands so special.
We recorded our first dragonfly of the year on 21 April: a Hairy Dragonfly. There’s something magical about that first dragonfly sighting, like the official stamp that warmer days have truly arrived. Then, on 28 April, we spotted our first damselfly too: a dazzling Azure Damselfly, flickering like a tiny blue flame above the water’s edge. Keep an eye on sunny, sheltered margins over the next couple of weeks, as this is only the beginning.
Dragonflies are among wetlands’ most beautiful species – agile aerial hunters with shimmering wings and remarkable life cycles that begin underwater before transforming into masters of the air. Our Dragonfly Festival is returning this summer, shining a spotlight on their vital role in healthy wetland ecosystems and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend on. Get ready to dive in to wild walks, workshops, music, nature connection and creativity.
If you’re visiting soon, bring your curiosity and give yourself time. Right now, the reserve is full of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments… and those are always the best ones!
