Spring has definitely arrived in full force as we head into April. There has continued to be lots of chiffchaff seen (and heard!) around the reserve as well as our first confirmed sightings of sand martins and swallows from the Peter Scott Observatory. More and more of these will be seen over the coming weeks.
There has been lots of black headed gulls over the Folly and Whooper Ponds. As of yet, none are nesting on the rafts but they have shown interest so fingers crossed. There are still some whooper swans, wigeon, teal and shoveler around as well.
As usual, on the four-legged front, there have been lots of roe deer and brown hares sighted around the reserve, mainly from the Saltcot Observatory and the Avenue Tower. There was also a common lizard found inside the Saltcot Observatory! It was promptly returned outside to get some sun and insects. Common lizards hibernate during the winter, emerging in spring to mate before giving birth to live young (they are what is known as a viviparous reptile) in July or August.
30th March
Folly Pond
Newfield
Peter Scott Trail
Teal Pond
Floodground
Avenue Tower
Saltcot Merse Observatory
1st April
Sharp’s Lookout
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Whooper Pond
Teal Pond
Campbell Hide
2nd April
Backpond
Whooper Pond
Folly Pond
Cornerfield
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Teal Pond
Avenue Tower
Peter Scott Trail feeders
3rd April
Peter Scott Trail
Peter Scott Observatory
Saltcot Loaning
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Folly Pond
Avenue Tower
4th April
Near cottages
5th April
Peter Scott Observatory
Wildlife garden
6th April
Scottish Water Hide
7th April
Folly Pond
Floodground
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Feature photograph - Common lizard by Dave Milligan