Chris Johnston’s lastest report.
Time: 07:30-09:30 both days
Weather: calm and overcast. light westerly breeze (2nd); calm and sunny intervals (4th), temperature ranging from 10ºC to 12.5ºC
Three new summer arrivals were recorded this weekend in the form of Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Swift. The Cetti’s Warbler was still present on both days, singing close to the path near the border between Hay Meadow and Big Meadow. 38 bird species were recorded across the two visits.
- Flora Field boasted 5 Stock Doves showing really well, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Mistle Thrushes and 3 Brown Hares.
- The Lesser Whitethroat was singing on 2nd near the Aldcliffe Road entrance. Pony Wood yielded a singing Chiffchaff, singing Blackcap, a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Grey Squirrel.
- A male Whitethroat was singing in the hedgerow between West Field and Flora Field, providing some lovely views. 1 Grey Heron was at the pool in West Field.
- A Grey Squirrel was near the orchard, where Blackcaps appeared to be already feeding young, as were another pair in the scrub near the north-eastern corner of Big Meadow. A Speckled Wood was also seen in this area. A Chiffchaff was also singing in the orchard.
- 1 Shelduck was seen over Hay Meadow on 2nd. A distant Sedge Warbler could be heard in the reedbed in Upper Sower Holme. 2 Swifts overhead were the first of the year.
- Moorhens were present on both School Pond and Cromwell Pond.
- On the canal, the male Gadwall was again present by Ripley Field.