Time: 07:30-10:05
Weather: sunny early on, clouding over, calm, 14°C – 17°C
After last week’s somewhat autumnal conditions, a return to slightly warmer and calmer weather was welcome. Once again there was plenty of evidence of fledged young around the reserve with at least two fledged Robins appearing on the various paths and still lots of Blackbird activity. Overhead, there were plenty of Hirundines and Swifts, giving the morning a distinctly summery feel. A first Reed Bunting of the Spring was seen in a hedgerow close to School Pond. 39 bird species were recorded.
- Along Aldcliffe Road, a Whitethroat was singing on the edge of Flora Field. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen next to the entrance gate, the first sighting since early May of this often elusive warbler. A pair of Speckled Wood butterflies were seen between the entrance gate and the wood.
- Pony Wood yielded a singing Chiffchaff and a Stock Dove. A Grey Squirrel was also seen.
- Along the Long Pads hedgerow, the male Whitethroat was still singing and showing well. In the taller trees near the orchard, a pair of Blackcaps were foraging and a Nuthatch was seen overhead.
- A singing male Reed Bunting was a welcome sight near to the board walk section of the path alongside Big Meadow. In Upper Sower Holme, the Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly as well as a Reed Warbler. A Curlew was seen flying south overhead.
- Along the canal, a pair of Mute Swans with 8 cygnets were swimming alongside Ripley Field where 17 Mallards were resting. A Small Tortoiseshell was seen close to Flora Field further down the canal.