Witches Oak Water sightings report by Vic Bevan

Witches Oak Water sightings report by Vic Bevan

Initially overcast but warm with a light NE wind, but brightening up with tummy intervals as the day wore on.

Initially overcast but warm with a light NE wind, but brightening up with tummy intervals as the day wore on. Breeding is in full swing on the reserve with 3 Mute Swan nests, as well as Coot and Great Crested Grebes sitting on nests. Canada Geese, Mallard and Coot already have broods of young. Warblers are in full song throughout the reserve with counts of a superb 36 Reed Warbler territories, 12 Blackcap, 7 Willow, 5 Sedge, 5 Garden, and 5 Cetti's, with 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, and 3 Chiffchaff. 26 Greylag Geese were together in the reserve with 2 Little Egret and 2 Shoveler also notable. 2 Common Tern and 2 Oystercatcher passed over. Later in the day a count of butterflies yielded 20 Green-veined White, 11 Common Blue, 7 Orange-Tip, and 1 each of Speckled Wood and Peacock. Banded Demoiselle were in profusion along the riverside tracks, and Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselfly were abundant, and 5 Black-tailed Skimmer (all female/juv) were found.