Summer's just around the corner

Summer is finally looking as though it wants to come to Feckenham Wylde Moor reserve; after the hot spell there is a noticeable increase in life on the wing.

We have good numbers of common blue butterfly and green veined white, probably more of the latter than last year. Orange tip has also been on site in large number and many eggs have been found on the lady's smock. There have been some large white but to date not as many as I would have hoped.

Dragonfly numbers are increasing and also damselfly. Male broad bodied chasers are taking a keen interest in our newly dug pond at the southwestern end of the reserve and new common and azure damselfly are many. The males already bright blue and females in all sorts of variations. There has been a good number of newly emerged beautiful demoiselle as well.

Our reed warbler numbers have been good again this year and we have had lesser whitethroat, grasshopper and sedge Warblers on site. Reed buntings seem to be lower than previous years. Our bonus this year were three cuckoo all together in one place, best ever recorded.

Provided the warm sunny weather continues we should see ever increasing numbers of butterflies, dragonflies and damsels.

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor

Grasshopper Warblers at Ipsley

Early yesterday morning I heard three Grasshopper Warblers singing in the area around the boardwalk at Ipsley Alders; lets hope they remain and breed.

If you're visiting Ipsley please remember to keep to the pathways and boardwalks to limit disturbance. The birds are often easy to hear but rarely seen (they do sound like loud grasshoppers)! They nest low to the ground and could be disturbed by walking off the pathways.

Michael, Ipsley Alders

(photo by Mark Hancox)