8 members visited the reserve – it should have been 10 but 2 dropped out following the leaders repeated change of start time in what turned out to be a failed attempt to interpret the Met Office’s forecast of rain clouds.
Anyway, all began well and when the sun came out, the loan pair of Black-necked Grebes looked absolutely beautiful, but where were all the rest
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- Black-necked Grebe
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- Black-necked Grebe
because in previous years, we’d always see approx half a dozen.
As we walked around the lakes, there was always in the background the simple song of the Reed Bunting – obviously, they like the place. Wild flowers were also there in colourful profusion although, this year, far fewer orchids.
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- Wild flowers dominate the views around the reserve
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- A profusion of wild flowers
At about the halfway point, the heavens opened making the group hide under a convenient oak tree until the deluge passed. With additional unpleasantness of brushing against wet foliage down the narrow path, the group went to the
Merlin free listening for warblers
meadow where we heard/saw a wide variety of birds including Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Green Woodpecker. The walk through the meadow lead to sightings of Painted Lady, Speckled Wood and Large Skipper
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- Speckled Wood
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- Large Skipper
butterflies. Shortly after this, the group divided with the majority heading back to the lakes while the others headed for a return via the old railway line. It was not long after this that the sky blackened and thunder rumbled ever closer until a further downpour began. After 10 minutes sheltering under some willows, it was decided that discretion was the better part of valour and we beat a hasty retreat. It was noticeable however, that the Song Thrush and Skylark were still singing and there were plenty of Swifts and Sand Martins hawking for insects over the lake.
40 species ID’d. photos courtesy of M Shearer, R Simmons and M Kaye.