Friday 1 April 2016

Blakeney Freshes - Eggs, Otters and returning migrants

This week has seen the first signs that the breeding season has started on Blakeney Freshes, with the first Lapwing nest found with a full clutch of 4 eggs. Reshank and Mute Swans have also been spotted nest building.
Lapwing nest - G. Baldock
A good number of Avocet have also returned onto the Freshes and are pairing up. A pair of Little Ringed Plover have returned to the exact same spot as last year and have been seen displaying. Last year, they successfully raised and fledged all 4 chicks, so let's hope they have another good year.

Once again, we have some trail cameras on site. Currently we have 'Otter Cam' and 'Post Cam' up and running. Otter Cam has been regularly picking up passing Otters, including one having a good munch on an Eel.

The same camera also picked up a Lesser Whitethroat, a Weasel and a Water Rail.

Other recent sightings include an Osprey, which flew west along the coast, a Spoonbill, feeding on the Freshes and the return of Swallows and House Martins. There are still 2 Lapland Buntings, which have been on sight since Christmas and are still very popular with birders and photographers. They can be seen from the sea wall, near the kissing gate.

George Baldock - Ranger

1 comment:

  1. Stuart Warrington1 April 2016 at 19:44

    Excellent start, and really like the webcams too.

    ReplyDelete