A big surprise at Sywell Country Park was the lack of water in the reservoir. Apparently, they were running the level down to do some works. Walking along the dam we admired the Grey and Pied Wagtails. The highlight of the morning followed as we spied a juvenile Kestrel stood on a bird box. Further searching of the tree revealed at least two more young ones, I suspect all had probably fledged earlier that day. Trees in full leaf make spotting a bird tricky but we did get good views of Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and Whitethroat. Others heard but not seen were Cuckoo (several times), Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. Out on the water we saw Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard starting to moult into their eclipse plumage.
A few butterfly were around, namely Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper. Plenty of Common Blue damselfly around the reserve and an Emperor dragonfly too was spotted.
Bruce White
