Time: 07:30-09:20 & 21:30-22:40
Weather: sunny, scattered cloud, light south-easterly breeze, 13.5°C rising to 20.0°C.
The reserve was fairly quiet this morning with appreciably less birdsong than in recent weeks. A very overdue evening visit was also made to the reserve to listen for both Grasshopper Warbler and Tawny Owl. There was no sign of the former but the latter was heard coming from the direction of Upper Sower Holme. However, the sight of bats flying across a bright half moon made the trip very memorable. 32 species were recorded across the two visits.
- A Blackcap was singing in Pony Wood where a Sparrowhawk was briefly spotted hunting between the trees. A Grey Squirrel was also present and a Chiffchaff was singing in Little Wood.
- The male Whitethroat was again in full voice in the Long Pads hedgerow, still performing its song flight. It really has been one of the stars of this Spring on the reserve.
- 1 Moorhen was on Alder Pond and 3 Long-tailed Tits were seen in the hedgerow near here. The Cetti’s Warbler could be heard singing distantly and a Painted Lady was seen in the orchard.
- 2 male Reed Warblers were singing in Upper Sower Holme and a second Chiffchaff was singing next to the Cromwell Road entrance.