Horsham Wildlife: Warnham LNR

Blackcap - Warnham LNR (J. Everitt)

The past few days has seen a real influx in summer migrants appearing around the Reserve. Chiffchaffs seem to be singing from every bush and there are many male Blackcaps dotted around all belting out there wonderfully melodic song. Keep your eyes peeled for them as you wander round the Reserve. The best place to see and hear Blackcaps is in Walnut Tree Plantation whereas the Chiffchaffs can be heard all around the site.

Chiffchaff - Warnham LNR (J. Everitt)

There has also been several Willow Warblers seen as well as a Common Tern reported but no further sign as well as a slow trickle of Swallows and House Martins most days. Fingers crossed we will get a site rarity in the coming weeks and of course it won't be long before the Cuckoo and Reed Warblers return to the reedbeds. Also of note we had a brief visit from a second-winter Mediterranean Gull which alerted me to its presence by its fantastic cat-like contact call. You can tell this bird is a second-winter by the black marks it has on its primary (wing-feather) tips. If it were an adult bird it would have all white wing tips.

Mediterranean Gull - Warnham LNR (J. Everitt)

Hairy-footed Flower Bee - Warnham LNR (J. Everitt)

The warmer weather has also treated us to a number of spring insects such as the lovely Hairy-footed Flower Bee which has been an everyday feature on the Lungwort in the garden just outside the Visitor Centre. The warm spells have also brought out a number of butterflies with Holly Blue, Small White, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell also putting in regular appearances. We also had an interesting find by Sandpiper Hide in the shape of this stunning Eyed Ladybird.

Eyed Ladybird - Warnham LNR (J. Everitt)

Finally the warm daytime weather has meant several more moth species have been around in the evenings. Even though the temperature drops quickly once the sun has gone down many of the spring moths are able to cope with the low temperatures. It is nice to see a selection of both macro and micro species and please do keep checking the moth year list on the tab above to see how we are getting on. Below are a few of the species we have caught over the past week or so.