The sun is trying to shine as I write this, after a few grey days. I really must remember we are only in spring. However, the ground is warming and the insects are rising.
Our variable, azure and common damselflies are all out on the wing. Discussions of which are what are in full swing! I do like the description in the British Dragonflies Wild Guide book of the Azure damselfly- “think of it as a snooker player, he has a cue (the spur on the side of the thorax), wears a bow tie (S10) and carries a beer glass(S2)”. Very appropriate with the World Snooker Championship this week! Banded demoiselle, hairy dragonflies and 4 spotted chasers are also about.
Damsels and Dragons mean that the hobbies are now visiting. There have been a fair number of swallows over the Heronries and the swifts have arrived. Interestingly, we refilled the 2 sand martin boxes up on Pumphouse Pit with sand recently and the birds are taking an interest in nesting there this year. Unfortunately, with the tern rafts taken over by the black-headed gulls, the terns are few and far between. Have you seen one here on the reserve, I would love to know?
Several Cuckoos were heard on the last Breeding Bird Survey. Also, their primary host here, the reed warbler. I wonder which nests the cuckoo will choose.
The saga of the Herons’ nests continues. When will they fledge? Sitting in Cobham Hide yesterday, I watched the largest of the 3 chicks exercising its wings and jumping out to the nearby branches. They apparently fledge when they are 6-8 weeks old, so it is still a little early yet. Once they do, they will still return to the nest for a couple of weeks for an extra supply of food. Teenagers don’t change! There is also another nest you can watch from the Kingfisher Hide.
While a small group of us sat there, we watched the adorable humbugs. 3 of them were riding around on the back of the parent. When the other parent came back with a fish, the parent stretched and the balls of fluff fell off. It was amazing watching a fish bigger than the chick go down and how patient the parents are, when they do not get it right first time.
Another nest that is visible, with a little watching, is a sparrowhawk’s nest at river view-point on the island opposite, which actually is part of the reserve. There is also a nest in the edge of Rory’s Wood, where it tends to flood.
I haven’t mentioned nightingales, as yes they are here, and singing well! On the Meadow Trail, as you go through Redlands area, there have been up to 3 singing. At least 2 in the bird sanctuary, and on the Anglian Water Road 4 have been heard singing at the same time.
The first sessions of bird ringers this year have been successful. Lots of garden warblers. Last Saturday, they re-trapped one first ringed as a juvenile in 2020. It has therefore migrated to sub- Saharan Africa and returned here 6 times. That is 60,000 km without taking in account any other flying it does. Remarkable at 17grams!
Sorry about the long missive, but lots to say and I haven’t mentioned grizzled skippers! Good news, the butterfly survey found 23 and a mating pair.
All the best for your wildlife watching. Let me know about any local Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Wildlife news at friends@paxton-pits.org.uk .
Ann
Ann Thomas 5.5.26