Summer at Backtoft

 

The overnight rain and thunder overnight had flattened some of the vegetation on the reserve. As I walked towards Marshland hide several sedge warblers were singing and perching on the top of the reeds.

Plenty of birds on the reserve, stonechats and skylarks near the konik ponies, 11 different waders on Marshland. Dunlin still looking smart in breeding plumage, 2 spotted redshanks still showing black plumage, and very smart black-tailed godwits in their orange livery. 2 greenshanks, 6 green sandpipers,

while avocets still chased after crows and gulls.

Cetti's warblers shouted out from the bushes while chiffchaffs and blackcaps sang from their hiding places.

Young marsh harriers are competing with each other to get the food that their parents bring in and like the England cricket team need to improve their catching!

A mute swan family still has 9 cygnets and tufted duck families are starting to appear.

Plenty of butterflies, damsel flies and dragonflies on the wing complete the picture which visitors enjoy and young children marvel about.