Socially-distancing families of Canada Geese, Longham Lakes 28/05/2020 (Lesley Wilkes)
27th May
This morning I had my first visit to check the 11 Longham boxes. As I hadn’t been there since early March the vegetation, especially nettles and brambles, has grown up considerably and it took a lot of time and effort to fight my way through to most of the boxes. Four had ringable Blue Tit young (13 pulli ringed), three I reckoned were empty – two Great Tit and 1 Blue Tit with 2 eggs and one dead young. One had 3 dead Blue Tit young (it looked as though some others may have fledged), another had a partially built abandoned nest, another with a partially built nest had a Hornets nest in the box; and the last box was completely unused. After I had done the Longham boxes I spent about 45 mins with a couple of short nets open – I caught two birds. A new adult Chiffchaff and a re-trap male Dunnock, first ringed as a juvenile in July 2018. Two Whitethroats were singing around the area where the nets were (Roger Peart.)
I have seen at least one Oystercatcher on the little beach among the Canada Geese since I went back after COVID restrictions on the 7th. My wife and I were there early this morning and I saw a small black and white fluffy thing. We also saw both adults flying – presumably leaving baby in the care of the Canadas and the Tufties (KD Johnson.)
21st May
Among the various birds we saw today were Sedge Warbler, Great Black-backed Gulls, Egyptian Geese, Gadwalls and one Oystercatcher (Dave and Pat Harris.)
Beautiful Demoiselle, Longham Lakes 20/05/2020 (Matt Bell)
20th May
There was Beautiful Demoiselle at Longham today, as well as some young Common Toads (Matt Bell).
8th May
Plenty of song along the river from Whitethroats, Reed Warblers and others. Mute Swan incubating. Walked just the east bank of the north Longham Lake – Reed warblers of course ( I gave up counting on Tuesday’s visit on reaching 22), 3 Cetti’s Warblers, fly-by from 2 Egyptian Geese and 2 Oystercatchers on the island (one appears to be settled down and incubating (Alan Pearce.)
1st May
Cuckoo, 12 Reed Warblers and 1 Sedge Warbler in song, and 4 Cetti’s Warblers (Alan Pearce)
14th April
My quick visit without bins produced 5 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti’s Warblers (all heard) and the Egyptian Geese and gosling (Alan Pearce.)
13th April
My exercise today involved a run to Longham Lakes for a look around. Breezy conditions were useful as it concentrated the hirundines in one spot. Approximately 20 Swallows, 15 House Martins and a couple of Sand Martins. Also had 3 singing Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, loads of Chiffchaffs and several Cetti’s Warblers (Steve Davis.)
12th April
Jeff Osment lives next to Longham Lakes where today he photographed a pair of Egyptian Geese with a very young gosling (this is the first breeding record for Longham Lakes.)