Nature Notes

January news and updates from Elmley

MOST RECENT UPDATE - 19th January Updates from Elmley on Coronavirus

A very large high tide and calm, hot day gave good afternoon count conditions for this months survey. Dry conditions have likely reduced number of waders and some duck but highlights are the return of wintering birds like wigeon, and waders like snipe on the hide pools. Lovely to note 3 wood sandpipers. In addition to the count we have spotted returning Short Eared Owls along the sea walls, Merlin near the entry gate and a large raft of Great Crested Grebes on the Swale from the viewing screen.

Wader Catch Report from 21st July 2020 A team of volunteers assembled on the Reserve at dusk on the 21st of July with the aim of catching and ringing wading birds under licence from the British Trust for Ornotholgy (BTO).

The wetland bird survey for May 2020 provides a snap shot of birdlife across Elmley NNR on Monday 11th May - a hot windy day made counting dificult over the high tide. Many of the birds counted this month are attempting to breed on the fresh water marshes and will be covered in bird bird surveys later in the summer. Please note the Reserve will not reopen before 4th July for visits.