Osprey, Sand Martin and Swallow sightings have increased throughout the past month whilst there have been a few sightings of Common Terns.  Since the first Osprey sighting on the 1^st of April, individuals have been seen on numerous occasions, mainly sitting on the ‘usual perch’ and also seen fishing in the Basin.  The 2^nd of May saw the first time that 2 Ospreys have been seen at the same time this year.  Since the first Sand Martin sighting on the 14^th of April we have seen a sharp rise in their number, with 36 being counted on the 21^st at the Sand Martin Bank, with numbers still slowly rising.  Swallows, as expected, were slightly behind the Sand Martins in arriving, with the first sighting at the centre being the 19^th of April and no subsequent sightings being made until the 2^nd of May when 3 were seen flying into the eaves of the building.  This sighting trend was almost identical to that of 2012, so more birds should be soon to follow.  There have been 3 sightings of individual Common Terns, firstly on the 14^th of April, then the 21^st and finally on the 24^th.  In the next few weeks we should see a marked increase in their number, hopefully culminating in a group of 100+ by the end of the month.

In Addition to the Ospreys, other birds of prey that were recorded include a Short-Eared Owl at the side of the Sand Martin Wall on the 21^st of April, which kindly stayed long enough for us to get a recording of it on the camera.  There was also a Marsh Harrier at the Lurgies on the 1^st of May, the first sighting so far this year.

The 2^nd of May was a particularly eventful day, with a host of good sightings in the grasses and bushes in front of the centre.  Four different Warbler species were seen, a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and two Whitethroats.  There was also a second sighting of a female Blackcap, with the first sighting being made on the 21^st of April.  Lastly, 2 Water Rails were seen in front of the Visitor Centre, possibly a pair, so we will be hoping to see up to 8 juveniles darting around after their mother, just like last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Shepherd,

Visitor Centre Assistant Manager.