Date: 30th March 2024
Time: from 9 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 8°C to 12°C
It was distinctly spring-like this morning for my visit to the reserve and it proved to a very successful one with 18 bird species recorded, including a first record of the year, a new mammal record for the reserve plus the welcome sight of the first butterfly species of the year.
Firstly, I had my first record of Canada Goose of the year with 2 birds flying over the eastern end of the reserve in a southerly direction and doubtless on the their way to the lake at Gloucester Park.
Secondly, I had my first record of Brown Rat for the reserve, my 4th mammal species. Whilst at Meadow Pond, I saw one swim across the pond to the left of the viewing platform before it briefly emerged on to a low-lying tree branch before disappearing. However, some minutes later, I saw presumably the same animal swimming in the corner of the pond on the far side.
Brown Rats have an image problem for most people but this particular animal was in a natural habitat rather than attracted to some of the less desirable areas due to human littering and waste. Having said that, if this Brown Rat is resident rather than just moving through, it may pose a threat to the Mallards and Moorhens if they settle down to breed.
During my visit, the temperature increased and this provided sightings of my first butterfly species of the year. The hedge adjacent to the southern section of the eastern boardwalk and the area along the track to Fox Pond were particularly productive and I saw Peacock (8), Brimstone (2) and Comma (1). I also saw another Brimstone as I returned along the track form the storage shed to the Spanish steps. The Peacocks were easy to photograph since they frequently but I only got a heavily cropped photo of the Comma and the Brimstones were impossible since they never settled.
The warming temperature also brought out several Bee-flies and bumblebee species.
During my last visit to the reserve on 20th March 2024, I recorded my first Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps for the year. Both these species are now well established and I heard males singing across the reserve but particularly in the eastern section of the reserve from the boardwalk and around Meadow Pond.
I saw 4 singing male Chiffchaffs and heard 2 other singing males plus I saw 3 Blackcaps, including 2 singing males plus a female, and heard 2 other singing males. However, this is probably an under-estimate of the numbers present.
With regard to other birds, I saw a male and female Mallard on Meadow Pond. The presumed pair of Moorhens were also again present on Meadow Pond and I again heard another calling bird on Willow Pond which I failed to see.
The only other notable record from my visit, which unfortunately can not be included as a reserve record, was a Common Buzzard which I heard “mewing” somewhere to the north of the path near Puckles Pond but definitely outside the reserve boundary.
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Blackcap
Here are
some photos from my visit ….
Photo: male Blackcap
Photo: male Chiffchaff
Photo: male Chiffchaff
Photo: male Chiffchaff
Photo: Robin
Photo: male and female Mallard
Photo: Peacock
Photo: Comma
Site totals for 2024 to date (2023 totals in brackets):
