A Spoonbill, a Glossy Ibis too......

An adult Spoonbill was seen on the evening of the 30th June

Spoonbill - Jason Medcraft

It was on the river briefly from Curlew hide and seen by only a couple of people.

This was followed by an adult Glossy Ibis early afternoon of the 1st July. Again, another brief visit which shows the merit of spending time watching the river from Curlew hide. Although it was on the far side of the river, Jax managed to capture some images of it.

Glossy Ibis - Jax Wing

Mandarin ducks continued to be seen regularly on Mallard pond from the 15th June until the middle of the month peaking at three on the 13th July. A Mandarin was seen on the river from Curlew hide on the 1st August.

Three Mandarin ducks - Diane Williams

Mandarin - Diane Williams

Waders are slowly increasing as we head towards autumn. Regular colour-ringed Curlew JO ringed on the reserve in 2022 was back on the 11th.

Curlew - Diane Williams

Black-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage on the 14th

Black-tailed Godwit - Diane Williams

Common Sandpipers started to be sighted more regularly form the middle of the month.

Common Sandpiper - Diane Williams

A Great Egret has been seen intermittently during the month including a flyover Mallard pond on the 25th.

Great Egret - Diane Williams

Dusk on the reserve is a stunning place to be as large number of Swallows come to roost. Over 800 have been counted over the river and reedbeds. On a few evenings from the 20th July, a Hobby was chasing them. A juvenile Yellow Wagtail was there on the 29th.

There were plenty of sightings other than birds with a good variety of dragonflies, reptiles and butterflies recorded.