Trimley Marshes

The Trimley Reserve News Sheet       April 18^th 2012

By Anna Alum (volunteer)

 The weather on the reserve has at best been overcast and at worst drenched with April showers, a very different April from the last few we have experienced.  Much excitement was building last week, in the hope of further migrants arriving. However, despite the weather it hasn’t produced as many birds as expected. 

April 14^th was an exciting morning as the first Sedge warbler was seen in the reed bed and this little sedge appeared to be the only one on the reserve, however it was a cool morning and it was hoped we might see others but unfortunately it was not to be.   On Sunday 15^th Ernie and Dave also saw a lonesome Sedge warbler possibly the very same one.  We wait for others to arrive at Trimley soon.  There are no sightings of Reed Warblers yet. 

A lovely Yellow Wagtail was seen by Sticky (Paul Oldfield) early on Sunday 15^th .  Avocets are really enjoying the summer flood at the moment and Ernie and Dave sighted 11 on Sunday.  The Cetti’s Warbler was also heard on Sunday.  

The reservoir hide is ‘the hide to be’ if you want to see Lesser Black- backed Gulls who have taken ownership of some of the rafts for potential nesting sites. There are plenty of territorial scuffles between the LBB Gulls and the Black Headed Gulls at the moment and one raft in particular seems to have a ‘look out’ gull on it at all times!   It will be interesting when the new raft is launched as to who claims this very nice new maternity suite!  Mediterranean Gulls have also been seen and heard during the last week.  

Other news: 

A pair of Kestrels have been seen in the hollow of one of the trees on the reserve and it is hoped that they will produce eggs. 

There were at least a dozen Black tailed Godwits on Tuesday 17^th , a few Redshanks and a Spotted Redshank on Sunday 15^th.  There are also eight pairs of Lapwing. 

37 Fallow Deer were also seen on the 17^th April.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to the counts.