Crossness records preview: April – June 2014

The next Friends of Crossness newsletter is imminent, but a preview of the April to June wildlife records that will be published therein has been circulated by Site Manager Karen Sutton. Karen does a massive job collating all the data provided by a number of different observers.

Highlights include up to 10 Cetti’s Warblers at a time, 3  Barn Owls, Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 5 Peregrine Falcon, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Curlew, 3 Skylark, 1 Ring Ouzel, Common Redstart, Stonechat and Wheatear.

This Ring Ouzel dropped into  Crossness in April, on the way back to the uplands of northern England to breed (Photo: Mike Robinson)

This Ring Ouzel dropped into Crossness in April, on the way back to the uplands of northern England to breed (Photo: Mike Robinson)

A number of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were seen, in what was a much better year for the species, which has declined badly. But numbers were still very low in absolute terms, with the single day maximum being only 4. A lone Ringlet added yet another site for a species which has been found in a number of new locations during 2014.

A mere £10 will now secure you LIFE MEMBERSHIP of Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve. Benefits include:

  • an informative colour newsletter,
  • access to the fenced-off part of the site
  • entry to the two-storey bird-hide within, which provides panoramic views over the marshes and beyond, and which will offer much-appreciated shelter from the elements during inclement weather
  • opportunities to get involved with a variety of hands-on habitat management work
  • indoor winter wildlife talks by experts in  their field
  • making new friends!

Ffi: Karen Sutton <karen.sutton@thameswater.co.uk>

Karen Sutton at the official opening ceremony for the new Crossness bird hide in May, flanked by David 'The urban Birder' Lindo and long-serving Thames Water Biodiversity Manager Andy Tomczynski.

Karen Sutton at the official opening ceremony for the new Crossness bird hide in May, flanked by David ‘The Urban Birder’ Lindo and long-serving Thames Water Biodiversity Manager Andy Tomczynski.

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