by Andrew (Andy) M Hanby
Ospreys on the platform Tim Jones
June was a month with both strands of optimism and pessimism – “Birds are an ecological litmus paper,”- Roger Tory Peterson.
Osprey and Marsh Harrier were two species which fell into the first category. Osprey were seen throughout the month with, more often than not, two present, with a pair perched on the ‘Osprey platform’ on several occasions. Judging by comparison of underwing pattern and whether or not they were ringed, indicated that there were at least three different males, including one from the Tweed area and two females. Up to three different Marsh Harriers were also present.
Corn Bunting were seen on three days only – but that was merely because the South Henge is rarely visited and a peak of three birds, including a female, on 26th is a hugely positive development. Similarly encouraging were the records of both Bittern and Grasshopper Warbler, each on three dates. Also, on the plus side, was a distinct uptick in Whitethroats, with a peak of nine on 26th.
Adding to the upbeat theme, one of the regular Little Owl pairs produced two young and Little Egrets reached a three-year June peak of 24. This compares with 14 in 2023 and nine in 2022.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also well up, with 134 bird days this month, versus 11 in June 2023.
Gulls also introduce the scintilla of pessimism manifest by the fortunes of Black-headed Gulls. The June maximum count of 387 Black-headed Gulls was a poor comparison to 2023, when 1106 was the peak. Also notable in this was a peak of only five Swallows; in 2023 when the observer coverage was less, the peak was eleven. Both Swallow counts are low and represent a very worrying trend for this aerial feeder.
Arguably also in the ‘not so good’ category were Ringed Plovers, with an astonishing 581 bird days and a peak of 95 on 9th. Why bad? These seem to be birds held up from heading to their breeding grounds by cold northerly winds. This concern was compounded by news of widespread bird deaths, involving several species, in Iceland associated with unseasonably cold weather and heavy snow.
‘Winter’ malingers with us included scattered records of Teal and Wigeon, the latter peaking at nine on 24th on the Reserve. Coot have also found the Reserve to their liking in June, with a steady rise in numbers peaking at an impressive 126
June was sprinkled both with the scarce and the rare, with three Sanderling on 2nd and four on 4th. The latter date also saw the Reserve host a stunning Red-necked Phalarope.
Red- necked Phalarope. Nathan Beer
On 14th an Arctic Tern was a brief visitor and on 16th, the only Great White Egret of the month was recorded. Arguably rarer for the date was a Great Black-backed Gull on 18th, normally a winter visitor in our recording area. On 21st the first Garganey of the month was seen and thereafter was present almost daily, with a pair on 25th
The 22nd greeted both another Sanderling and Arctic Tern and the following day was also good, when two Snow Geesemade brief stops in the area before flying off south and two Common Scoter spent the day in the area.
The Snow Geese Nathan Beer
The first record of Spotted Flycatcher for 2024 came from Flasks Lane on 26th, the same day that a young Tree Sparrowfrequented a feeder in Nosterfield village.
Tree Sparrow Gareth Jones
As the month drew to a close, evidence of returning waders accumulated, with Black-tailed Godwits on 28th and 30th and a Wood Sandpiper on 29th to the month’s end.
Original photo Tim Jones, legally actionable photo abuser Andy Hanby!