Signs of autumn are all around on the reserve in terms of the birdlife. Swallows and House Martins are starting to group together, small flocks comprising this year’s breeding adults plus their young are constantly active in the air over the fields. Having been very quiet for a few weeks, Robins are suddenly very active, their singing a sure sign that summer is on its way out. Single Jays can be seen across the reserve and there are still a few warblers around, albeit it’s quite tricky to see them. And the return of rain has thankfully seen water levels restored in different parts of the reserve, bringing back waterfowl to West Field.
- Flora Field hosted 14 Pheasants and 25+ Black-headed Gulls on 23 August. A Moorhen was calling from Flora Ponds on 6 September.
- Pony Wood yielded a Chiffchaff on 23 August and single Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers on both visits.
- 2 Whitethroats were seen in the hedgerow on the far side of West Field on 23 August, when a Grey Heron was also present. 13 Mallards were next to the pond on 6 September.
- A Lesser Whitethroat was in the hedgerow next to the board walk on 6 September, the first record since mid-June. A Goldfinch flew over Hay Meadow on the same date, another species that has been elusive of late.
- Along the canal, Ripley Field hosted 60 Black-headed Gulls on 23 August along with 22 Mallards.