Recent Sightings (22nd-25th May)
British Steel Hide
A fantastic drake Garganey was present on the NRA scrapes on the 24th, where it was joined by a pair of Teal and 3 Shoveler. A male Cuckoo flew over the lagoons on the 25th. Wader wise it has typically been very quiet on the lagoons. 2 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, a Whimbrel and 6 Lapwing (failed breeders) have been seen on the saline lagoons. 3 Spoonbills were still on the lagoons on the 24th, and one was still present on the 25th. A 3rd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was on the NRA scrapes on the 22nd.
Millennium Wetlands
The flock of Black-tailed Godwits on the Deep Water Lake has been over 600 strong in recent days. An Icelandic ringed bird was present there on the 25th. Also a few Knot have been in amongst the flock, including a stunning summer-plumaged bird. A Greenshank was on the stony island recently also, an unusual spot to find one on the reserve. On Deep Water Lake there have been 10 Pochard and 2 Shoveler as well as the regular breeding wildfowl. There are still plenty of singing Warblers around the site, including two Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Cetti's Warblers. Good numbers of House Martins and Swallows have been joined by half a dozen Swifts over Deep Water Lake in this mornings drizzly conditions.
Other Wildlife
Dragon and damselfly species have included Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly, Blue-tailed, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Butterfly species have included Common Blue's and Small Coppers.
