Spring is here and it’s that time of year again when the birds
who migrated to warmer climes for the winter return to breed here in the UK.
Mid-April saw the return of several migrant bird species at
Sandscale Haws. The first Willow Warblers were fairly late this year with the
first one heard singing near to the car park on Monday 13th. By the
end of the week the distinctive song could be heard all across the reserve.
Another migrant returning to breed here is the Sedge Warbler with the first
record from along the Roanhead Shore on Thursday 16th. Both of these
species contribute to the familiar backdrop of birdsong across the reserve
during the summer months.
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| Willow Warbler |
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| Sedge Warbler |
A single Whimbrel was seen flying over the car park on
Tuesday 14th. In the UK this species only breeds in Northern
Scotland but can be seen at coastal sites on migration to and from its South
African wintering grounds. Whimbrels resemble Curlew but are smaller and have a
loud and distinctive piping call that can help to identify birds in flight.
Another African migrant, the Sandwich Tern, was noted on the 17th
with 21 recorded feeding in the Duddon Estuary on the monthly Wetland Bird
Count.
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| Whimbrel |
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| Sandwich Terns in flight |
Finally Easterly winds between 17th and 20th
brought in small groups of Wheatears with 7 recorded on the 17th and
20th.
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| Wheatear (male) |
The next few weeks should see the return of Whitethroats and
Reed Warblers and there may be other species such as Common Redstarts and Whinchat
passing through on their way back to their woodland breeding sites. If you see
anything interesting when visiting the reserve please let us know.
