Today – during a very wet Patchwatch – 70 species were recorded, including two Arctic Terns, a Curlew, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Teal, Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler. Also there were hundreds of Hirundines seen hawking insects over all three bodies of water. PS.
Later a Red Kite and a Swift were seen. RW.
This morning there was a passage of Little Gulls through the reserve. At about 08.00 ten flew through to the north. Later a single flew through and then decided to stop on the Large Gravel Pit where, at about 11.40, eleven more flew in and joined it. They were hawking St. Marks Flies over the water and were later joined by one Arctic Tern. There were also two Whimbrel seen early on, flying through to the NE. Two Ravens were around the Slurry Lagoon and a Cuckoo was also seen there. Three Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler were singing along with most of the other warbler species. PS.
Two adult Little Gulls were in the Deep Pit this afternoon. Green Hairstreaks were on the wing and four male Emperor Moths were attracted to a pheromone lure. RW.
This morning there were two Grasshopper Warblers near the Large Gravel Pit. Two Garden Warblers were singing, the best one near the railway end of the Causeway. A pair of Shelduck spent some time on the Slurry Lagoon and two House Martins were seen near the Railway Bridge. PS.
A Water Shrew was seen today beside the pond between the Small Gravel Pit and the Haven. RW.
Early this afternoon a Hobby was seen hawking butterflies around the Large Gravel Pit and a Whimbrel settled briefly on the Wader Scrape. RW.
There were also at least five Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on the Wader Scrape and two Common Sandpipers and two Yellow Wagtails on the river bank. Twelve Peacocks, three Green-veined Whites, three Commas, three Small Tortoiseshells and two Brimstones were also seen. PS.
Also early afternoon four Yellow Wagtails were on the Wader Scrape. JMD.
Two Swifts were seen this morning, flying over the site, eight Common Terns were seen over the Deep Pit, some already in pairs and more Grasshopper Warblers have arrived, there are up to seven males present now and some females have arrived. PS.