British Summer Time Returns

As March draws to a close, and April knocks at the door, British Summer Time came along in all its glory, and as if to say summer was here, temperatures reached up to 21C in parts of the UK.  Attenborough NR was a very popular location this weekend, with numerous stalls and events designed to encourage children and families.  Many birds are now nesting, with coots and moorhens clearly leading the way.

Another good sign of summer, is the number of migrants coming into the reserve.  Good numbers of Warblers are returning, with Cetti’s, Garden, Chiff Chaff, Blackcaps and even Grasshopper warblers recorded over the last few days.  Common Terns have also been observed across the ponds, whilst sand martins have returned, just in time for the opening of the new sand martin hide and nesting facility.

A rather confiding Little Egret was also on show this weekend.  It is not too long ago, that Little Egrets were considered major rarities, however, they have expanded rapidly across the UK, with breeding having been recorded in Nottinghamshire during 2013.  Other birds that have expanded over the last few years, are Buzzards, and these are now regularly observed across the reserve, and are also often seen from our garden soaring overhead.

In the plant world, blackthorn is now in flower, whilst many other trees are coming into flower, with bees and butterflies being seen readily across the reserve, another sure sign that winter has probably left us for now.