All things ornithological at Blashford lakes

As there hasn’t been much about birds on this blog lately and birds are one of the best things in life, I thought I better write an update on all things ornithological at Blashford lakes. Recent sightings on Ibsley water have included an excellent 256 lapwing, with probably a few more hidden from view amongst the grass. Other interesting species present were 12 oystercatchers, 4 black-tailed godwits, the first returning green sandpipers of the autumn and a fly over raven. There seems to be a bit of an influx of coots at the moment with at least 200 present this morning but counting them was extremely difficult as there was a lot of tufted ducks too resulting in a mass of diving birds over the western side of the lake. One keen female tufted duck was seen close to Tern hide with 12 ducklings! Much easier to count were 74 mute swans, a black swan was also reported in the Tern hide log book last week.

Ivy lake now has 2 pairs of great crested grebes both feeding single chicks, which are both pretty large now and hopefully over pike dinner size. There was still 13 common tern chicks on the rafts today too so they haven’t all fledged yet.

The woodland is pretty quite at the moment, although a pair of bullfinches have been on the woodland hide feeders most days.

Unfortunately I can’t post any bird pictures as my camera is rubbish!

Moody weather over Iblsey water.

Canary-shouldered thorn in the moth trap

Eyed Hawk-moth caterpillar found on the reserve. It’s head is on the left!