While walking around the Reserve today we spotted this stonechat in Flora Field. West Field scrape was extensively flooded with the rain we have had and there were many Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed gulls present. Further round there were a couple of mistle thrush in Big Meadow.
Yesterday early evening we spotted two grey partridge in Flora field, the first time for over a year!
Whilst trying to find rogue Spanish bluebells this morning we heard bird alarm calls and looked up to see a little owl in the horse chestnut tree.
A better (?) view
On Saturday, the arable field was sown with barley.
On Sunday, a group of 8 volunteers sowed a variety of seeds around the crop on a hot afternoon.
While walking up the hill sowing seed, I spotted this oystercatcher.
Yesterday the arable field was ploughed and the tractor was followed by numerous Lesser Black-backed and Herring gulls.
Also seen were lapwing (2 initially and 6 at the end of the day).
On the ploughed field we also saw a wheatear, probably on its migration to Greenland or Canada.
Butterflies seen included tortoiseshell, orange-tip and peacock.
I have also been asked to mention that an early morning walker has seen 8 shelduck on recent mornings plus a nuthatch in the Orchard and regular hare sightings.
Photo was taken this afternoon.
Yesterday, we saw our first swallow going north over Fairfield, and today 5 or 6 swallows flew round our house.
In the Orchard we saw a pair of treecreepers,
as well as a pair of tree sparrows putting nesting material into O1 (Orchard 1 box).
This is an important development for Fairfield as this is a target bird that we have been trying to attract to the area.
In West Field we saw further evidence of nesting behaviour on the part of jackdaws.
Walking around the Reserve today I noticed another occupied nest box.
Walking around the arable field this afternoon we saw these two brown hares enjoying the sunshine.
Also around were a pair of stone chats checking out the new saplings.
I believe this one is the female stonechat.
Also near the gate by Pony wood were a robin and this wren.
In big meadow were two song thrush.
Then by the paddock we heard curious tapping coming from a nest box,
and then …
this spring-cleaning blue tit appeared.
Yesterday, Wednesday, about 14:45 I was walking along the footpath from Aldcliffe and getting close to the Big Meadow when a little white egret flew in front of me near the houses . It was coming from the estuary and flew onto the reserve. It was flying east just south of the Big Meadow and then turned to go behind the willows in the Hay Meadow. I could not see from my position where it landed.
Continuing my walk I saw approximately 10 fieldfare in the Big Meadow. They were about 2/3 of the way from the Alder Pond to the Hay Meadow. They kept flitting about so difficult to be certain about the number and it was very cold so could not watch for long.