Date: 18th April 2022
Time: from 11:15 a.m.
Weather: dry, hazy sunshine,
light wind, 13°C to 15°C
I had an exceptionally good visit this morning with 3 new reserve records plus 7 new records for 2022.
Again, I had a later start to my visit than normal in the hope that the
warmer temperatures would provide sightings of reptiles, amphibians and
butterflies. I was amply rewarded.
At the Meadow Pond, I saw a Grass Snake and a Common Frog,
both new records for the reserve for me.
I was alerted to some movement in the middle of the pond and through my binoculars
I could just make out the movement of a swimming snake. The diagnostic yellow
collar of a Grass Snake was clearly visible. Unfortunately, I could not
get a photo since the auto-focus was struggling with all the surrounding
vegetation and it quickly disappeared from view.
The Common Frog was difficult to spot at the edge of the pond
given its small size and its partly submerged body but I did manage to get a
photo.
I walked slowly and quietly around the East Meadow boardwalk several times looking for Common Lizards basking in the sun. On my final circuit, I finally spotted one but it also spotted me before I could get a photo and it quickly darted in to the vegetation. I waited unsuccessfully for it to re-emerge. This was first record of Common Lizard at the reserve for 2022.
It was an excellent morning for butterflies with 5 species recorded: Small Tortoiseshell (1), Peacock (2), Orange Tip (c.10 including 1 male), Speckled Wood (14) and Brimstone (1 male)
Small Tortoiseshell was a new record for the reserve for me plus the remaining species, other than Brimstone, were all first records at the reserve for 2022.
With regard to birds, I added 3 species to my 2022 list for the reserve bringing the total to date to 22: Common Buzzard (1 flying high over Meadow Pond heading in a northerly direction), House Sparrow (a small flock of c.10 birds in the hedge near the storage shed) and Song Thrush (1 singing).
Both Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps are firmly established
around the reserve now. I failed to see any Chiffchaffs but heard at
least 3 singing males. Blackcaps were very conspicuous and I saw 4
singing males and heard at least 4 others.
Photo: male Blackcap
Photo: male Blackcap
The only other notable bird record was a very noisy calling Moorhen
on Meadow Pond.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records
in italics):
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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