Weather: sunny with scattered cloud, light/fresh south-easterly breeze, 17.5°C rising to 22°C.
We’ve reached a time of the year where you sometimes have to work a little bit harder for your birds. Most species are singing far less, often only in short bursts. Foliage on trees and bushes means that views are often restricted to a brief glimpse of a perched or flying bird here or there. But there is still much of interest out there as this weekend’s visit to the reserve demonstrated.
Shortly after I arrived an adult Cuckoo flew past, already on its migration back to Africa. One advantage of getting someone else to bring up your kids is that you’re free to do what you want. And in the case of the Cuckoo that means starting your migration a lot earlier than some species. It’s also another reminder that the reserve is on a flight path for many birds which means you always have a chance of seeing something interesting overhead. 33 species were recorded on this trip.
- Aside from the adult Cuckoo, a couple of Curlews were seen flying west over Flora Field and a male Whitethroat was singing along the edge of the field near Aldcliffe Road.
- Pony Wood yielded a singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff as well as a Stock Dove. An Oystercatcher was heard overhead. The male Whitethroat was still in fine voice in the Long Pads hedgerow,
- A Moorhen was on Alder Pond and a second Blackcap was singing in the hedgerow near the north-eastern corner of the field. A male Reed Bunting was seen flying over the far side of the field before perching in trees. It’s quite possible that a pair has been present here for much of the spring / summer but have remained fairly distant from any of the footpaths.
- 2 Reed Warblers were once again singing in the reedbed in Upper Sower Holme. A flock of 10 Goldfinches seen in flight over Hay Meadow was the first sighting of a significant number this month. A Chiffchaff was singing near to the Aldcliffe Road entrance.
- A Sparrowhawk was circling over the canal where a Ringlet butterfly was showing well very close to the border of Flora Field. Being someone who knows much less about butterflies than birds, the Ringlet was as much a highlight of my trip as the Cuckoo!