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9 March 2010
Birds on the move get set to flock to Natural England Reserves
Spring is the time when the natural world is on the move. Millions of migrating birds provide one of the most exhilarating signs of lighter days ahead as new species start arriving for the summer and winter residents return to their traditional breeding grounds. Natural England’s National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are a great place to see some of this astonishing seasonal movement in action.
On NNRs up and down the country, spring sees the return of migratory waders, such as golden plover and curlew; while whinchat and ring ouzel start to appear on our upland heaths and moors. From late-March to mid-May, swallows pass through in their thousands; yellow wagtails and whitethroats return from their African wintering grounds to breed on England’s lowland farmland; and redwings and fieldfares return to Scandinavia to breed.
There are 38 National Nature Reserves in the South East. They all offer ideal opportunities for observing birds and wildlife. Most have hides, trails and viewing areas and spring is an especially good time to visit, with birds arriving daily for the summer and winter visitors preparing to depart.
“The arrival of our migrant breeding birds is a treat for wildlife watchers,” says Alan Law, South East regional director of Natural England, “and National Nature Reserves provide some of the best safe havens both for these long-distance travellers and for our resident species. It reminds us what an important resource these reserves are and how important they are to the future of our wildlife. Some of the best bird migration hotspots are on our National Nature Reserves and, with spring just around the corner, when better to get out and back to nature.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact John Rennie from Natural England’s South East Advocacy and Partnerships Team on 07500 990874, email: john.rennie@naturalengland.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes which deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
The Environmental Stewardship grants deliver conservation of wildlife, maintain landscapes and natural resources and protect historical features. See www.naturalengland.org.uk for more.
At Castle Hill and Lullington Heath National Nature Reserves in East Sussex redwings and fieldfares have been heading back to Scandinavia. Passage migrants at both Castle Hill and Lullington Heath in the spring can sometimes include spotted flycatcher, pied flycatcher, redstart, ring ouzel, turtle dove and wheatear, heading west along the Downs. Lullington Heath is a haven for birds migrating to breed here, including willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler, and nightingale. Their songs mix in the dawn chorus at Lullington with the residents, such as yellowhammer, chaffinch, bullfinch, robin, wren, song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbird, dunnock, long-tailed, great and blue tits, skylark, meadow pipit, corn bunting and wood pigeon.
At Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve, Kent, the first summer migrants appear in the early March, with chiffchaffs, blackcap and garganey. Sand martin, the first sedge warblers and yellow wagtails arrive during the last week. Visitors in early April usually include nightingale, willow warbler, reed warbler, whitethroat and little ringed plover. By mid-April large numbers of migrants start to show-up, with swifts, hobby, swallow, house martin, common tern and turtle dove; then garden warbler and lesser whitethroat arriving at the end of the month. Large movements of swifts occur in early May and hobby numbers increase during the month with 30 to 40 often seen together. Ospreys and black terns are regularly recorded during the first half of May, as well as a mix of waders. In late April/early May resident species are well into their breeding with bearded tits feeding young. Other resident breeding species include Cetti’s warbler, marsh harrier, grey lag goose, cormorant and water rail.
At Thursley National Nature Reserve in Surrey, the first of the migrants to visit is usually the Curlew, usually arriving in late February. Thursley is Surrey’s only site for breeding curlew. Later in the spring will see the arrival of the Hobby, a falcon which winters in Africa. Hobbies are often seen hunting for dragonflies over the bog areas of the reserve. Redstarts, spotted flycatchers, reed buntings and whitethroats are next to arrive, while there is sometimes a chance to see Osprey passing over on their way up north along with Hen Harriers. Late spring will see swifts and various martins feeding on the abundant insects on the reserve. Other rarities such as the woodlark are a year round pleasure, but most obvious and vocal in the spring.
At Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire, in early March, the woods are full of the song of chiffchaffs. By mid-April, the areas of scrub have other warblers such as blackcap, whitethroat and lesser whitethroat. In early May there are migrating ring ouzels and some of them stop for about a week before continuing northwards. The fantastic red kite is a year-round treat.
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were initially established to protect sensitive features and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. Their purpose has widened since those early days. As well as managing some of our most pristine habitats, our rarest species and our most significant geology, most NNRs now offer great opportunities to the public as well as to schools and specialist audiences to experience England’s natural heritage. Natural England is the body empowered to declare NNRs in England, the Reserves being a selection of the very best parts of England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It is this underlying designation which gives NNRs their strong legal protection. The majority also have European nature conservation designations.
