Trimley Reserve

The Trimley Weekly Round up    19^th – 25^th April 2012

By Anna Alum (Volunteer) 

Rain, rain and more rain has been lashing down over the reserve over the last week with few breaks in cloud.  Temperatures remain unseasonably low, however this has not affected some of the hardiest of volunteers who have continued their observations and counts.  

Last week we were thinking about the Reed Warblers arrival on the reserve and just  after last weeks bulletin was being pinned on the board, a lovely Reed Warbler appeared in one of the ringing nets.  This just so happened to be a bird, which was ringed last year on the reserve.  This little bird had succeeded in its mammoth return journey across the world to Senegal and back to Trimley. A tiny miracle, and a tiny bird in the hand. How many of us could travel such a huge distance while producing no carbon footprint?   It was given a very warm reception by us. We hope the weather improves so that we can play host to further Reed Warblers. 

The reserve is becoming a very sensitive area  as birds begin their busy nesting period and raising young.  This period highlights the importance of keeping dogs on leads at all times when walking through this internationally significant wetland site. It is not only birds that are raising young. Voles are also nesting in the long grass. Voles  provide a crucial  food source  for Barn Owls and other raptors. Red-legged partridges are also trying to find suitable ground nesting sites.  

 On Sunday 22^nd, 19 Goslings appeared on the summer flood with their Greylag geese parents.  Two sets of swans are beginning their 6-week incubation period and in some of the worst spring rain and winds we have seen for some time. The visitor centre Wren is also seen regularly flying in and out of her nest. During the next few weeks we will provide up dates of further arrivals of youngsters.  

Although quiet on the reserve in terms of migrants, there have been some very nice sightings over the week. Dave and Ernie counted 107 Black tailed Godwit on Sunday 22^nd. Their extensive counts of other species also included 112 Shelduck and 1 Nightingale. Chiffchaff and Sedge warblers are beginning to build their numbers. 7 Ring Ouzels were seen on Landguard Common on Tuesday 24^th but unfortunately did not get as far as Trimley Reserve.  

Carol from SWT HQ came over to Trimley on Wednesday 25^th to work on her Birding Challenge of 150 birds for the year, on SWT reserves.  Despite the terrible rain and wind she was able to see a lovely Bar tailed Godwit, which added to her species list. In addition the first 2 Common Terns appeared and 60 Black tailed Godwit.  Trimley’s youngest volunteers, students Danni and Lucy also braved the hides to increase their birding knowledge. 

Wednesday 25^th April provided sunshine and a lovely warm wind. Another Yellow Wagtail appeared and at least 10 swifts’s, the first of the year.  

We hope the weather will improve over the next week and bring in further migrants.