Date: 26th March 2022
Time: from 10:15 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny,
light/moderate wind, 12°C to 14°C
This was a much later start to my visit than normal. I had considered a
very early visit for birds, particularly targeting my first Blackcap at
the reserve for the year, or a later visit where the warmer temperatures may
have encouraged the emergence of reptiles.
I chose a later visit but failed to see any Common Lizards along
the boardwalk at the eastern end of the reserve.
However, I did add my first Blackcap to my 2022 list for the reserve bringing the total to date to 19. I
initially heard a singing male in the wooded area beyond Willow Pond but it was
impossible to locate it. I heard another or possibly the same singing male in
the scrub to the right of the path not far from the storage shed heading back
towards the Spanish Steps. I eventually had several views of this bird albeit
brief and somewhat obscured. Frustratingly, it refused to fully emerge to sing
from a prominent perch.
During my last visit on 12th March 2022, I
recorded my first 2 singing male Chiffchaffs at the reserve for 2022.
This morning, Chiffchaff song was evident all around the reserve. I managed to
see 2 singing males and heard at least 4 others.
I had no other especially notable bird sightings but I did record my
first butterflies at the reserve for 2022: Comma (3) and Brimstone (2).
For me, along
with the first singing Chiffchaffs, the first flying Brimstones are
a sure sign that spring has arrived. It is difficult to miss the bright yellow
male Brimstones in flight but it is remarkable how they almost disappear
when they land and do their best leaf impression!
With regard to mammals, I saw a single Grey Squirrel in the trees from the path heading from the Spanish Steps into the reserve.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
amazing pic of camouflaged male brimstone butterfly!
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