The Spring Arrivals

Well, the glorious weather this weekend has seen a rise in visitors to the reserve and we’re not just talking Humans either! A welcome herald of spring was heard calling at the reserve after its long journey from far flung lands, a Chiffchaff! The first on our Spring Arrival’s sheet and bringing our bird species for the year up to 99. Who will be species 100? Will it be the Sand Martin who is also due to arrive shortly? If you spot one of those listed below whilst visiting us, please come into the centre and let us know. You can see our species list here.

Chiffchaff leads the way!

The arrival of the Chiffchaff is excellent timing for our themed Wild for the Weekend starting next weekend on the Signs of Spring, where you and the family will be able to learn a lot more about the Chiffchaff along our trail, whilst looking for wildlife to see using our spotter sheet. The event is free, just pop into the Visitor centre on arrival to pick up your spotter sheet and look out for a Guide in the Hide who will help you spot the more elusive birds!

The glorious weather also brought out our first two butterflies of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone were spotted as well as several queen bumblebees. The Great Crested Grebe’s that arrived a couple of weeks ago are also feeling the spring warmth and have been seen displaying down on Plover Lake.

Great Crested Grebes displaying © Ian Goodall

We want your feedback

Have you visited Lackford Lakes recently? If so, we would like to hear your thoughts via a very small (only 10 questions) survey which you can find here. Your feedback is warmly welcomed.

Calling for volunteers

An opportunity has arisen at Lackford for volunteers to join our Visitor Team. If you would like to get involved by talking to and serving visitors, helping to create and promote events at Lackford and have a keen interest in wildlife, then get in touch. You can find out more here.

Naturally Art

This weekend was a Naturally art weekend where children get to express themselves by creating art inspired by nature. This month, the kids got busy with clay!

Daniel gets started on his clay project

The kids really created some masterpieces.

Everyone had a great time.

If you would like your child to go to a Naturally Art workshop, what are you waiting for? Our next workshop is on 4th April 10am -12pm for 5 -10 year olds. The cost is £4 per child and they will need to bring an old shirt with them. The next workshop is a Bookmaking Workshop, making books about a local legend “The Mystery of the Green Children” These workshops are very popular and you will need to pre-book by calling the centre on 01284 726708.

Sightings

As you know already, the Chiffchaff has been heard on the reserve. The Kingfisher has been busy too of late and was captured magnificently in mid action by Ian Goodall with a small larvae of sorts.

Female Kingfisher taken at the visitor centre pond by Ian Goodall.

Cettis Warbler’s have also been heard around the reserve. Nuthatch has been showing well down at Ash Carr along with Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Grey wagtail. Out on the lakes, up to 7 Grey Herons have been spotted on the Slough along with Teal, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Oystercatcher and Black-headed gulls (380+).

Greenfinch have been spotted on Church walk feeders. Water Rail, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Snipe, Red Crested Pochard, Green Woodpecker, Marsh tit, Reed Bunting, Goldeneye, Goosander and Little Egret have also been spotted around the reserve. 

On the mammal front, Muntjac’s have been seen from Bernard Tickner’s hide and the Stoat  has not only been seen from the visitor centre, but also around the car park, so watch out for the one when you arrive. On the mammal cam in the centre, a Common Shrew has found a soft spot for peanuts!

Buzzards, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk have also been seen from the visitor centre.

The sightings board is getting busy.

As you can see the sightings board is beginning to get busy, please pop in and let the staff know what you’ve seen, regardless of how common or uninteresting you may think it is. One person’s muck, is another person’s brass! They can then add it to the board. 

We’ll leave you with a photo taken by the Visitor team manager Mike Andrews this morning of Lackford and the beautiful day that lay ahead.

Glorious blue skies over Lackford visitor centre.