Bird news for June 2005

June 2nd

Both Reed Warblers were still singing at Eakring Flash today, with the Garden Warbler there and a Lesser Whitethroat in the pastures area.

At Eakring Flash this morning, both male Reed Warblers were again present, but only the male at the southern-end sang and showed well.

This was actually the first time that I have seen either males reasonably well and they are normally very difficult and elusive to see, spending a great deal of time in the water-side Willows, Sallows and deep in rank vegetation.

A Turtle Dove was also around Eakring Flash and was one of just two singing males heard in the area today.

June 7th

A nice selection of breeding warblers at Eakring Flash still, with both Reed Warblers present (although only the unpaired male at the southern-end shows) Garden Warbler along the old hedge and Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat all present. There are also good numbers of Lesser Whitethroats around the area.

Three Little Grebe at Eakring Flash included a new adult, who's presence was causing much irritation to the resident pair.

June 14th

A late evening visit to the Red Hill area, was rewarded with the Long-eared Owl again hunting meadowland and seen to successfully catch prey on at least one occasion. Despite regular visits to this site throughout June, this is the first time the bird has shown since late May. Earlier, two returning Curlew flew west over there at 20:40h and are obviously failed breeders and a male Grasshopper Warbler which was reeling occasionally was a new arrival.

Earlier, the morning had proved to be very quiet. A Common Buzzard was over Hare Hill Wood, whilst a Turtle Dove and at least one male Reed Warbler were at Eakring Flash.

June 16th

The Grasshopper Warbler was again singing in the Red Hill area late evening, with a Common Buzzard and 141 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over there. Earlier during the day, a Turtle Dove and the two male Reed Warblers were still at Eakring Flash.

June 19th

Certainly three and now possibly four male Reed Warblers at Eakring Flash this morning, suggesting that birds are either still arriving into the UK, or are wandering in search of suitable breeding sites/females etc. An early returning Green Sandpiper was at Eakring Flash early morning before flying off (per Robin Brace and Tony Wardell)

June 21st

Still three male Reed Warblers at Eakring Flash this evening, although only two (unpaired males) sing with regularity.

June 23rd

Two Oystercatchers flew over Eakring Flash at 11:30h this morning and were the first here for several years (per David Smith) and still three male Reed Warblers there.

June 26th

An evening visit produced a single adult Cuckoo flying low east and heading towards the Eakring Flash/Lound Wood area. This is a notably late site record.

June 27th

An Oystercatcher flew south over the edge of Wellow village and continued into the recording area this morning (per D Burrows)

June 28th

New wildfowl at Eakring Flash this evening included a female Pochard, two Tufted Duck and a male Ruddy Duck. Still at least one male Reed Warbler present.

June 29th

Large numbers of Swifts were feeding around Eakring Flash late evening and presumably avoiding a thunderstorm over the Nottingham area. A minimum of 700 birds were involved. Nearby, a Hobby was calling from Lound Wood.

Eakring Bird news
June 2005
Featuring news and sightings from Eakring