It was due in part to the humid weather that there was a significant increase in butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies across the reserve. The butterfly numbers were particularly impressive, with Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Painted Lady, Large White, Small White and Tortoiseshell seen throughout the morning.
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| Light Emerald moth, found on the boardwalk. |
The nesting activities of the majority of birds on the reserve is now in the final stages. A Marsh Harrier fledgling was seen in front of the Whitley Hide on the 4th July. There are four chicks in the nest and hopefully the others will make an appearance any day now.
It has now been confirmed that a pair of Barn Owls have occupied the nest box in the shelter, accompanied by two chicks and an egg. Whilst this news is particularly promising, it is worth noting that they have only just started to breed despite the adults taking up residence as early as the 4th March!
Also, there were plenty of juvenile Reed Warblers perched in the small trees, just above the reeds, not far from the Johnson Hide. The adults were continuing to bring them food throughout the morning.
The following was seen from 8.00am:
Bulfinch x 2
Marsh Tit x 2
Long-tailed Tit x 1
Jay x 1
Swift x 5
Linnet x 1 - Seen from the Whitley Hide, perched in a bush.
Reed Bunting x 3
Reed Warbler x 8 - A significant number of the sightings were fledglings, near the Johnson Hide.
Buzzard x 1
Chiffchaff x 1 - Heard calling repeatedly, near the Whitley Hide.
Water Vole x 2 - Both sightings were close to the boardwalk. The first was seen on Bittern Drain, eating some vegetation, whilst the second suddenly appeared swimming past the Dyke Viewing Platform.
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