Levington Lagoon

We have started the annual task of cutting and removing the clippings from the lagoon area.  This is in readiness for the breeding season next year and for this coming winter period for roosting waders.

Observations included 30 Golden Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank and 4 Turtle Dove.  Just past the screen in the long grass there were several Wasp Spiders, these can be seen from the footpath.

Chiffchaff

Early morning is the best time to see our summer migrants on their southerly movements back to Africa.  These last few days Chiffchaffs have been very much in evidence as they flit through bushy scrub.  They were one of the first summer migrants to arrive (late March/early April) and now they are heading back to their wintering quarters having probably had two broods.

The picture below was taken on Sunday at Levington; it is a young bird, not long out of the nest - note its yellow gape.

Trimley Reserve

I am now into the cutting season and have lots of work to do.  I would love to hear from anyone wishing to help i.e. raking up clippings etc.  There is plenty of tea, good company and lots of birds to see.

The Red-crested Pochard was present again today and there were 10 Common Sandpipers. 

A Water Rail was seen from the reservoir hide.

Trimley Reserve update

Autumn passage migrant waders are being seen daily; these include Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper.  On Saturday there was a Red-crested Pochard.

In the herb rich grassland by the track Roesel's Bush Crickets are plentiful and the first Wasp Spiders of the season are now being seen.

Reserves Update

Two Spoonbills at Trimley.

At the moment it is excellent for butterflies at Newbourne Springs.  Species include Ringlets, Purple Hairstreaks, White-letter Hairstreak and two White Admirals (per Mike Wise).

Two interpretation boards have now been erected at Snape Marshes.

Trimley Reserve Update

I only had one volunteer with me today but between us we completed a rewarding amount of work, mainly grass cutting using a tractor and topper, brush cutter and mower.

The usual migrant waders were present.  The Spoonbill was seen several times and there a Hobby was hunting House and Sand Martins.

There was also a stunning example of an Emperor Moth caterpillar.

Trimley Reserve update

Working and birding in the rain; by noon we were drenched.  Whilst enjoying an extra cup of tea we saw a juvenile Spoonbill, 4 Ruffs, 3 Greenshanks, c140 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, 54 Avocets and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.  The reservoir is now beginning to fill up with wildfowl and today there was over 200 Coot.

Reserves update

Hazelwood Marshes:

Monday July 5th: 5 Spoonbill, 12 Greenshank, 150 Curlew and several Redshank chicks.

Snape Marshes:

Tuesday July 6th: A very enjoyable evening walk with the Snape Rustlers around the reserve and then a stampede to the Golden Key for drinks.  The Barn Owl has three chicks which are almost ready to fly.

Trimley Marshes:

Observations during the last few days include Avocet (53), Black-tailed Godwit (85), Dunlin (7), Spotted Redshank (5) and Ruff; most birds are still in summer plumage.  Also, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier and the first Painted Lady butterfly of the year.

Snape Marshes update

Glorious day again. Site meeting at Snape all morning discussing future management of the reserve. I had sightings of three very large Adders.  Birds included 2 Turtle Doves and a Marsh Harrier.

At Trimley Marshes there were more autumn passage waders, Spotted Redshank, Ruff and Little Ringed Plover.

This evening was spent in mid-Suffolk with Reg Woodard, Paul Newton and Patrick Barker visiting nest sites where I ringed 3 broods of Barn Owl (one brood totalled 5), and broods of Sparrowhawks and Kestrels.