Read on for lots of positive wildlife news!
After a hot week last week, the temperature has cooled considerably. This morning was a cool 7 degrees centigrade when we walked down to the Visitor Centre to meet up with the other volunteers to divide up and go the 9 Breeding Bird routes. Everybody seemed full of anticipation of what they were going to find. Nobody seemed disappointed when they returned to the V.C. to hand in their results and discuss their findings with a warm drink in their hands.
The top highlights on my route, walking around East Scrub, was a male bullfinch sitting on top of a hawthorn enjoying the warm rays of the sun on his bright pinkish-red chest. It was also the amount of bird song. With the leaves and blossom well out on the trees, most of the identification was by sound. (The Merlin app was ignored occasionally when it came up with green sandpiper and golden oriole!). We heard at least 2 cuckoos and the garden warblers outnumbered blackcaps very easily, which I found interesting.
Other volunteers were fortunate to see young being fed. Down by Wray House, goldcrests were feeding their chicks on the ground. Now, if you consider that goldcrests only live on average 2-3 years, it means that many generations have been doing just that in that area for at least the last 25 years.
I am also extremely pleased to say that we have nightingales back on the reserve. Recently 3 were heard in the bird sanctuary when the ringers were in and yes, they managed to ring one. They were also heard today there and also on the Redlands Meadow. The Breeding Bird survey was completed yesterday around the top lakes and there are at least 10 nightingales singing there. I hope to think there are as many female nightingales.
Another bird, which I was concerned if we would see any of this year, and if so, how many, is the common tern. So, I am very glad to say there are at least 4 starting to nest on the tern rafts with many more flying over the Heronries.
Another bird that has been seen regularly recently is the hobby. They time their arrival when the insects are more abundant in the air, like our damsels and dragons. On the warmer days, they are now numerous. The large red damsel came first followed very quickly by our other blue damsels, and the banded demoiselle. Hairy dragonflies are in flight and the first 4 spot chasers are on the wing. I haven’t heard of any broad bodied chasers being seen yet, have you?
By the way, if you like to photograph dragons, the British dragonfly society wants images of variable damselflies in cop (mating). They are in decline in some areas and are doing a study to see where they are successfully breeding. See The Variable Damselfly Photo Challenge – British Dragonfly Society for more information. There is a prize for the best image.
Grizzled skipper and brown argus butterflies were seen on our recent survey and the other more common early butterflies. The one I would like to see is a small tortoiseshell. Now an increasingly rare butterfly and nobody really know why. I was fortunate to see one in Norfolk last week.
Ann Miles also took photos of other invertebrates on the survey. Some, you might say, would not win any beauty contests! See her blog below for her fab photos.
Ann Miles Blog: April Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey (https://pin-sharp.blogspot.com/2025/04/april-butterfly-and-dragonfly-survey.html
You can tell it’s Spring as I have so much to say! I always like to hear more, so keep me informed with your sightings on friends@paxton-pits.org.uk
Best wishes
Ann
P.s. A turtle dove was possibly heard on the reserve last week. Maybe next year it will stay.
Ann Thomas 4.5.25