Friday 31 May 2013

Damselflies on the run...

At last some warm and sunny conditions have engulfed Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

The trails and paths remain wet with some wet muddy areas (but are drying out); walking boots or wellies are recommended for long walks (especially around the moorings on Heron Trail; the paths around Sailing Lake; and Meadow Trail is wet and muddy).

Nightingale and a variety of warblers are in full voice.

The best place of the day to hear Nightingale is around Kingfisher Hide Triangle...

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY (so far): spotted flycatcher around Kingfisher Hide...

...and hobbies are hunting with vengeance over the Heronry Lakes with great views of hobby catching damselfly on the wing from the hides

...turtle doves are calling along the Ouse Valley Way

...adult greater spotted woodpecker are feeding noisy chicks on the Meadow Trail near Riverside


...there has been a mass emergence of caddis fly and damsel fly sp.


...female redpoll on Ouse Valley Walk? Out of sync with the seasons...

...red crested pochard on sailing lake

...red kite and common buzzard soaring over the reserve  

It is always worth walking the public footpaths around the reserve (maps can be obtained from the Visitor Centre). From Stirtloe Lane (off Ouse Valley Way) you can watch the latter stages of tern and wader passage and you never know what you might see...

Heavy Works Vehicles are using the Haul Road to and from the Gravel Pit so please stick to the paths and take care.

Please call us with any sightings on tel: 01480 406 795 or pop into the centre and write them into our sightings book.


What is life like for the Ranger of Paxton Pits? Jim Stevenson keeps you up to date on his own blog, the inside-track on life in charge of cows, sheep, birds and volunteers.
http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/ranger.htm

Join The Friends and you will be helping to make Paxton Pits Nature Reserve a better place for wildlife and people, for now and the future.
http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/friendsjoin.htm

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