The Heronry lakes are looking a lot emptier of birds than they did a couple of weeks ago with the winter duck moving north. However, if you look a little closer, you might see ducklings around. At least 4 gadwall chicks were seen on the Breeding Bird survey this morning. We have 14 survey routes, many of which go off the public paths. So, meeting up for a survey debrief in the Visitor Centre Garden with a cup of something hot is always interesting. Some of the routes could not be completed fully due to the continuing flooding and high-water tables.
The British Trust for Ornithology mentioned in their weekly garden bird blog,this morning, that chiffchaffs were early again this year. Many of those can be heard now around the Pits. I also wasn’t surprised to hear other warblers were heard on the Paxton Pits survey, such as willow warbler, garden warbler and reed warbler.
We saw red kite resting on a branch near a large nest in East scrub and someone else saw red kite carrying nesting material. If they are nesting there, it is the closest to the Visitor Centre that I have known them to nest. Treecreepers were also seen carrying nesting material near the Riverview point. It is a place they have nested before. Did you know that if they have a second brood, they make another nest elsewhere?
Kingfishers were also seen on more than one route, so fingers crossed, it looks as if they will do well this year again and the cormorants are well into nesting with a low count of just over 30 nests.
The merlin app is now a go to app if you are not sure what bird you are hearing, but it is always the best when you see the birds singing. We had some lovely views of blackcap and chiffchaff opening their beaks to the song. Goldcrest was seen and not heard. Always good to observe.
And, finally on birds, the nightingales are in on the Anglian Water Road! 2 were heard yesterday on 6th April. An early date, but not as early as in 1999 and 2002, when they were heard on 4th April.
Our bats are waking up. A bat survey last Friday had a good number of common and soprano pipistrelles flying about. The detectors picked up a couple of other species, as well, which will be verified by a closer look at the recordings.
So, too, are our insects. The new insect mound opposite the Bus Stop is active with solitary bees and bee flies can be seen.
Thanks to Jack Watson for the lovely photo of a treecreeper.
Please let me know about your spring sightings at Paxton Pits on friends@paxton-pits.org.uk .
Best wishes
Ann
Thank you Jack Watson