Birdwatcher’s Diary No.5

Published on: 15 May, 2012
Updated on: 15 May, 2012

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by Malcolm Fincham

Monday, May 7: More new additions to Stoke Meadows. On bank holiday Monday I decided to take advantage of a few dry hours by revisiting the area for the first  time since last Friday.

Treecreeper.

I walked back along river from Burpham on this occasion and was pleased to capture a few treecreeper pictures.

On arriving at Stoke Lake I was greeted by a welcomed sighting of  pair of common terns for the first time this year, flying over the lake itself. These will hopfully take up  residence on the specially constucted floating raft out on the water.

I also managed to catch the sound of a reed warbler for the first time at the meadows this year.

Sunday, May 13: Over the past week I had noticed that the weather went back into a decline with more overcast and wet days. However, on a positve note, I distinctly noticed that the rain was getting warmer. The hawthorns (also known as the may bush) had come out in bloom. Hence the 18th-century saying: “Ne’er cast a clout until May is out,”  which is thought to mean: “Never discard your winter clothing untill the hawthorn loses its bloom,” which seems quite apt this year!

The hawthorn in bloom at Stoke Meadows.

By the end of this week things had started to become quite encouraging in the bird department, as the common terns had made the raft their own and “turfed off ” any Canadian geese and cormorants who thought they might have had “first dibs” on it.

Reed warbler.

There were now at least five reed warblers singing their scratchy but quite melodic songs.

Friday and Saturday was especially good for me, as with the pleasant sunny evenings, I was pleased to get a few photos. And the warm sunshine even managed to bring a peacock butterfly out to pose for a picture.

Peacock butterfly out in the sunshine.

And here’s another picture of one of the common terns who have recently returned to Stoke Lake at Stoke Meadows.

Common tern on the raft at Stoke Lake.

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