Trimley Update

Hi everyone, I am back. I enjoyed my annual fill of country music at the CMA Country Fest in Nashville. Then it was onto Vegas where I won and lost. I had a brilliant day birding in the desert and mountains. New birds included Mountain Bluebird, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting and Sprague’s Pipit.


While I have been away it has been quiet for birds on the reserve but we are now seeing the beginning of the autumn migration with several Spotted Redshank, male Ruffs and Green Sandpipers. Today, there was a brood of Yellow Wagtails and Cetti’s Warblers.

Good news, Barn Owls have produced 4 chicks, the first for anywhere on the Orwell in years.

Snape Marshes

A busy day at Snape, the main track was refurbished with 100 tons of crushed asphalt thanks to Cemex, Anglian Water and Barry Day and Sons.

Observations - Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoos, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, Four-spot Chasers, Hairy Dragonflies, lots of Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies.  Butterflies included Orange Tip, Small Copper and Common Blue.

Trimley Reserve update

The Bearded Tits have sucessfully fledged at least 2 young.  Other highlights include a pair of Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, Cuckoo and 3 Mediterranean Gulls.

The number of gull chicks on the rafts are in excess of 130 with many more clutches still to hatch.  This morning I ringed 60 chicks.

Trimley Reserve

A Puss Moth seen on the reeds close to the boardwalk today.

Trimley Reserve Update

Yesterday Ernie Lucking and John Rayment (volunteer wardens) saw two Cranes flying over the reserve.

Today, the drake Garganey was present.  The overcast damp start to the morning brought the Swifts down low to feed so I was able to catch and ring one.

Trimley Reserve update

Birding this week has been superb with hundreds of summer migrants being present.  Swifts, all species of hirundines including a Red-rumped Swallow, Avocets, over 80 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, summer plumaged Dunlins, Common and Green Sandpipers, pairs of Garganey and Scaup.  Up to 3 Marsh Harriers and Hobbies chasing Swifts.

There are good photographic opportunites of Sedge and Reed Warblers infront of the VC hide.

The highlight today was a Fulmar - a rare bird for this site.

Have a great birding weekend.

Trimley Reserve

Spoonbill today on the summer flood.  Other highlights included 2 Hobbys, Buzzard, 44 Black-tailed Godwits, Little Ringed Plover and a pair of Yellow Wagtails.