Wildlife sightings 13th May 2022
Pochard still here, lots of swifts over the main lake and Egyptian Geese goslings on the wader scrape
30+ Swift over main lake and marsh
70+ Sand Martin
House Martin
2 Pochard on main lake
5 Gadwall pairs
2 Oyster Catcher (pair) - main lake
6 Lapwing
Breeding pairs with chicks are popping up all around the reserve now. We have a new family of Mandarin Duck with 7 young, Mute Swans with 6 young, Great Crested Grebe with 3 young, Egyptian Geese with 8 young, Canada Geese with 5 young and plenty of Moorhen and Coot chicks. Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing around the reserve. Dragonflies and Damselflies are emerging and many new flowers are popping up around the reserve. Small flock of mating Greenfinch in the north-east corner.
Flowering plants: Goat's Beard, Yellow Flag Iris, Yellow Rattle, Common Bistort, Jack-by-the-hedge, Bugle, Ramsones, Bluebell, Marsh Marigold, Lesser Celandine, Herb Robert, Cuckoo-flower, Ox Eye Daisy, Daisy, Dandelion, Rowan, Hawthorn, Hazel, Wild Cabbage, Dogwood.
Insects: Brimstone, Small White, Peacock, Holly Blue, Migrant Hawker, Blue Tailed Damselfly (Fi violacea), Azure Damselfly, Alder Leaf Beetle, Poplar Leaf Beetle, Thick-Legged Flower Beetle.
