Recent Sightings at Ladywalk
Ladywalk Sightings 5/7/25–17/7/25
What has been seen on the reserve during the past two weeks?
· A Willow Tit has been seen on the feeders at A Hide. This is the first one to be seen on the reserve since 2023.
· There are plenty of young birds about at present: a Tufted Duck was seen with 7 ducklings, while the residents Swans have a well-grown cygnet. Juvenile Lapwing, Little Egret and Treecreeper have also been spotted.
· The late summer wader passage seems to be beginning, with sightings of a Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Green Sandpiper. A Curlew also flew through on 5/7/25.
· Both Great White and Little Egret have been seen, with a count of 13 Little Egret roosting in the Cormorant colony.
· A Kingfisher has been showing well from the Rudd Hide.
· A range of duck species have been seen, including Mandarin (3 female/juvenile), Teal (up to double figures), and Shoveler.
· 2 Common Tern have been present at B Pool
· The warm weather has been benefitting the butterflies on the reserve, with over 300 seen on the weekly transect walk. The three White species are doing especially well, but good numbers of Common Blue have also been seen, and a Purple Hairstreak was spotted near Riverwalk Hide.
· Badgers and a Fox have been taking advantage of supplementary feeding near A Hide. In hot, dry weather, Badgers cannot access their main food of earthworms when the ground is hard, so putting out food can be a lifeline, especially to young animals.
