Lackford Lakes

Today I had a staff meeting, a catch up day on Trust work, activities and to brainstorm future projects and ambitions. They are always great days; socialising with work colleagues, plenty of humorous banter, tea and biscuits.

For me it was a great opportunity to visit this wonderful reserve which is full of wildlife delights. In just the scrub and woodland areas associated with the Visitors Centre, summer migrants abound with singing Blackcaps, Garden, Willow, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Nightingales and a Cuckoo.

Should you visit, remember to check out all the events and courses held at the Centre.

Trimley, Captains Wood and Snape Update

At 0500 hours I was at Trimley, just to loosen up before work. There was a Wood Sandpiper on the winter flood and a Little Ringed Plover on the scrape. We now have three broods of Graylag goslings and today our first brood of Mallards. There are at least 4 Cetti’s Warbler and 6 Lesser Whitethroat territories. At the moment, summer migrants are abundant and the Barn Owl has been hunting during the day.

It is a wonderful time of the year to visit Captains Wood. The bluebells are almost out; in about two/three weeks it will be stunning. You’re guaranteed to see deer; today I had 5 Muntjac and a herd of about 40 Fallow. If you see absolutely nothing (which is highly unlikely) the woodland walk is so pleasant. Other highlights included Sparrowhawk and Turtle Dove.

At Snape I had a very useful meeting with a representative from Anglian Water. Whilst there I checked the reptile sites but found nothing, however, I did see several grass snakes on the public footpath. There was also a Turtle Dove purring.

Update 28.04.2010

At Trimley today we had our first Wood Sandpiper of the year. Other birds of note included Black-necked Grebe in full summer plumage and a Little Ringed Plover.

Woodlarks have made a slow start to the breeding season and numbers, at the moment, are not as good as last year; today I ringed a brood of 4 on Tunstall Common.

Reserves Update 27.04.2010

At Trimley I had my first Orange Tip and Speckled Wood (6) on the reserve today. However, these observations were over-shadowed this morning by a Pectoral Sandpiper and Osprey and a Gyr Falcon of unknown origin which has been on the reserve all day. An Alpine Swift was seen over the reserve this evening and the Black-necked Grebe is still on the reservoir.

Yesterday we had our first brood of Greglags

There is a Turtle Dove at Snape Marshes.

Trimley Marsh and Levington Lagoon – reserve updates

Birds at Levington this morning included Cuckoo, 3 Little Egret, Spotted Redshank and Lesser Whitethroat.

Today there was excellent raptor watching at Trimley, which included 2 females and 1 male Marsh Harrier displaying and tumbling, a Peregrine hunting feral pigeons and 2 soaring Buzzards. Other highlights included 6 Whimbrel and 1 Little Ringed Plover.

Trimley Reserve

Hi, excellent birding on the reserve today. 

There were lots of migrants; highlights included a superb Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Terns, Little Gull, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Peregrine Falcon, 4 Swift, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail.