Initial thoughts were an eel until we saw this distinctive
fin:
It turns out this is a lamprey – possibly one of the first
seen in the reserve. We think this is
likely to be a brook lamprey – but quite what it was doing in a 20ft square
pond we are unsure as they are supposed to be migratory. This link tells you all about their weird and
wonderful lives. Apparently this is the
peak time to see them with the YWT guys reporting many upstream in West Beck.
A year first at any rate was little gull today found by
HVWG. Also on South Marsh East were the
avocets – all four present with the usual show downs with the gulls:
Over Hempholme today was this passing red kite which
disappeared way off West:
And yesterday was a glimpse of one of the first hobbys of the year - Denice Coverdale and Richard Baines finding the first last week:
Michael Flowers has the full low down on the birds of this
newly explored area on his blog here. Of
particular note was the continued presence of a short eared owl still there
this morning.
Common sandpipers are regularly on the reservoir walls:
By Brian Spence here:
The walls are also a good bet at the moment for resting
swallows:
House martins:
And increasing numbers of yellow wagtails:
In the limited sun a few butterflies were out – orange tips
staying static for once:
Also by Brian:
Brimstone (BS):
Linnet (BS):
And grass snake (BS):
Thanks to Tony Simpson for these great shots of water vole
under North Lagoon hide – hopefully we are free of mink at the moment:
