At last! After the last two months of grey, cold, overcast birding days we had a glorious Spring day of sunshine and warmth for our visit to Summer Leys Nature Reserve in the Nene valley. The birds were in fine voice as we made our around the reserve accompanied much of the way by very tame Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Round by the Feeding Station there were Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Reed bunting. Out on the water, the usual array of duck for this time of year. The highlight came at the Viewing Screen where a Glossy Ibis (pics above and below) paraded around just in front of us! At the Paul Britten hide overlooking the scrape a few wader were around in the shape of Snipe, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Finally from the Rotary hide a couple of early Sand Martin were in evidence. The weather had brought out butterfly in numbers with Brimstone, Comma and Peacock seen. A bonus, outside of the Rotary hide, was a sighting of a Grass Snake (pic below). A grand morning’s birding was finished off with a picnic lunch at one of the tables provided.
Pictures below courtesy of our photographer, Graham Handsley.
Bruce White
