May 2008 Bird Report

May is a time of breeding and migrants heading north.

Ian has confirmed that Grey Herons fledged 2 young on the Jet-ski Lake earlier in the year and that Greylag Geese bred – a crèche of 4 adults and 8 juveniles were seen on the river on 20th. Several broods of Canada Geese have appeared. At least 12 Mandarin ducklings hatched on the 13th with another nest incubating.

A few sightings of lingering ducks include 2 Shelduck on 20th and 3 on the 28th, a male Shoveler on the 18th, 2 Pochard on the 24th and a Teal on the 30th.

A string of passage waders: - Turnstone on the 3rd, a site record count of 8 Whimbrel on the 5th, Snipe on 14th, Greenshank on the 15th plus, Timminck’s Stint briefly on the evening of 16th, Ringed Plover on the 17th, Oystercatcher on the 17th, Dunlin on the 21st and an obliging Sanderling on the 26th. Juvenile Lapwings were seen at the end of the month.

The Black-headed Gull colony has settled down to business with an estimated 140 nests. A first summer Mediterranean Gull was present on several days between 3rd and the 8th. Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen flying over the site. The Common Terns are settled with at least 10 nests on Tern Island after none last year. A good year for passage Black Terns, with up to 3 on several days between 3rd and 16th.

The common Raptors, including a Red Kite on the 24th and up to 3 Hobbies present. The Barn Owls have been present in the nest box all month and a very young Little Owl was seen in a natural nest site on the 24th.

[Late news of 2 Sandwich Terns seen on Colebrook lake on the 25th].

There were several sightings of Cuckoos from mid month, including a sighting of a female leaving a potential Dunnock breeding area where it could have been parasitizing a nest.

The Nightingale seen last month remained in the area of Longwater Road until the 21st at least – did it find a mate I wonder? The first Whinchat of the year was seen on the 8th,

A Grasshopper Warbler was reported on the 6th. A Lesser Whitethroat has been singing regularly in the area of the main car park. Seven common species of warblers were on territories.

As always, please report your own sightings on the record sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the Moor Green Bird Recorder.

Bruce Archer