Trimley update

On arrival at Trimley I found that the Visitor Centre had been broken into again, the second time in two weeks. More damage, more repair work and unnecessary time and money.


On a brighter note we have a Black-necked Grebe in full summer plumage on the reservoir.

Trimley

Pectoral Sandpiper yesterday and today showing well from the winter flood hide.

Newbourne Springs

Julie March, a volunteer at Newbourne Springs, is monitoring the breeding birds, especially those birds that are nesting in the variety of boxes that have been erected.  She will be submitting a full report at the end of the breeding season.  The picture below shows her handling a young Tawny Owl that has just been ringed.

Newbourne Springs update

There was a pair of Golden Orioles on the reserve all day on the 12th, not seen today but there were four Nightingales singing, a Garden Warbler in the car park and a pair of Cuckoos.

Snape Marshes

Another warm sunny morning; the Snape marshes were full of bird song from a variety of summer migrants. In addition to the usual songs from finches, larks and thrushes there were rich powerful songs from three Nightingales, the vigorous warble and jerky song from at least ten Whitethroats, plus Sedge and reed Warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Two Green Hairstreaks were seen on flowering Hoary Cress and Small Copper butterflies were plentiful.

The Snape volunteers were again working on the heath pulling bracken.

On the higher area of saltmarsh there was a lovely carpet of Sea Milkwort

A good stand of Cow Parsley

  

Trimley Open Day

It was a busy day for the Trimley volunteers as members of the public were ferried to and from the reserve by mini bus.  The forecast of rain did not materialise, in fact it was a glorious day.  A Peregrine Falcon put on an excellent show of its hunting skills but probably the highlight of the day was six adult grass snakes, all together, just in front of one of the hides. 

The 2nd Trimley Brownies were finding out about the reserves birds in order to gain a badge.

A successful day thanks to the volunteers.

The 2nd Trimley Brownies

Reserves update

A Black Tern was seen feeding over the Trimley reservoir, circa 70 Black-headed Gulls are nesting on the rafts and there was also a pair of mediterranean Gulls.  Other noteable observations today included c50 Swifts, 5 Cetti's Warbler territories and a pair of Yellow Wagtails, which are nesting.

Green Hairstreak butterflies and a Hairy Dragonfly were also seen.

TRIMLEY OPEN DAY SUNDAY MAY 8th - 10am to 4pm - free minibus shuttle from the Searson's Farm car park and the Visitor Centre - Refreshments available.

A Song Thrush at Newbourne Springs was cheerfully singing but this long dry spell is making it very difficult for adult birds to find food to feed chicks in the nest. This dry spell will have an adverse effect on chick survival.

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