...Or maybe not!
Today was the day that we thought that the baby kingfishers would fledge, but they haven't yet! The young usually stay in the bank for 24-25 days after hatching, they hatched around the 7 May so it could be another couple of days.
Eep, when will it be? Who knows? We are taking bets - Keith (the volunteer that actually designed and built the bank) is thinking Wednesday morning, I think tomorrow... what do you think?
I will try and get on here as soon as we see any fledging activity!
The adults have been seen mating today, so its looking good for a second brood.
What has been seen at Rye Meads this month? Well... read below to find out:
Visitor Centre - kestrel, robin, blackbird, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, great tit, blue tit, dunnock, pheasant, whitethroat, great spotted woodpecker, song thrush, mallard, lapwing, swift, swallow, hobby, cuckoo, and turtle dove (first spotted on 17 May).
Draper hide - little ringed plover (we had three at one point, one pair and another bird. They kept visitors entertained for ages watching the three running round for hours - the pair trying to chase the other away), redshank, lapwing, dunlin (seen on 25 May), reed warbler, sedge warbler, gadwall, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, shelduck, shoveler, grey heron, little grebe, mute swan, cuckoo, Canada goose, barnacle goose (seen on 25 May), kestrel and buzzard (seen flying over on 30 May).
Ashby hide - little grebe, tufted duck, mallard, gadwall, pochard, grey heron, reed warbler, sedge warbler, and cettis warbler.
Lagoon hides (Tern and Gadwall hides) - pochard, tufted duck, mallard, gadwall, shelduck, shoveler, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, cormorant, mute swan, little grebe, great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, and common tern.
Kingfisher hide - kingfisher, kestrel, crow, coot, moorhen, gadwall, mallard, tufted duck, Canada goose, robin, great tit, blue tit, chaffinch, blackcap, wren and muntjac deer.
Lapwing hide - wheatear (seen on 2 May), grasshopper warbler (seen on 1 and 2 May), sedge warbler, reed warbler, redshank, lapwing, pheasant, cuckoo, kestrel, hobby and grey heron.
Trails - white throat, lesser white throat, sedge warbler, reed warbler, cettis warbler, willow warbler, garden warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, bullfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch, great tit, blue tit, robin, blackbird, swallow, swift, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, moorhen, coot, Canada goose, fox, watervole (first seen on 15 May).
Butterflies - orange tip, small white, large white, brimstone, peacock, holly blue, small tortoiseshell, brown argus and speckled wood.
Dragonflies and damselflies - broad bodied chaser, four spotted chaser, a hawker (not sure which one, it went too quick!), banded demoiselles, azure damselflies, and large red damselflies.
This picture was taken yesterday (Sunday 30 May), its from the classrooms looking out at the feeding station...
This male pheasant kept us entertained for ages yesterday - it kept attacking its own reflection in the glass! We kept hearing this banging noise but couldn't work out what it was... until we saw him trying to scare off another male that was in his patch (or so he thought)! I was going to add a little film of him, but I fail at recording (I didn't press the right button!)
BBC 2's Springwatch is returning to our screens on Monday 31 May 8pm, on BBC Two. I wonder what they will see this year!
It's a great show, and I thought I would let you know there is a chance for you to explore nature with the RSPB! Over the weekend of 5 and 6 June is Springwatch with the RSPB. Here at Rye Meads we are going to have a fab free event over the whole weekend with people in a hide to show you what is about, pond dipping, minibeasting, trails for kids, walks and more! Its going to be a great weekend so you should come and see us!
Over the weekend there will be loads of stuff for the kids: trails, crafts and games all available all day. There will also be a volunteer in the hides on Saturday to show you what is about. We will also have pond dipping sessions, minibeasting session, and walks with a guide. These are all free but there are limited spaces for the pond dipping, minibeasting and the walk so please book (01992 708383).
Here are the times for the weekend:
Saturday Pond dipping 11 am-12 noon Minibeasting 12.30-1.30 pm Wildlife walk 2.30-3.30 pm Crafts, trail, games and a volunteer will be in the hide all day.
Sunday Minibeasting 11 am-12 noon Pond dipping 12.30-1.30 pm Wildlife walk 2.30-3.30 pm Crafts, trail and games will be available all day!
All the activities will be free, but please can you book for the pond dipping, minibeasting and walks - there are limited spaces!
It's going to be a good weekend, I'm going to be here, are you?
Hi everyone...
So this weekend is the weekend - we think that the kingfisher chicks will fledge! The chicks usually stay in the nest for 24-25 days before the fledge. Once out of the nest, the young are fed for only four days before the adult chases them off!
Will they fledge this bank holiday weekend, or won't they? Will we see them, or won't we? Who knows... fingers crossed and I will keep you upto date!
The adults have been seen going in and out of a new hole - looks like they are getting ready for a second brood! Fingers crossed! You should come and visit the Kingfisher hide soon!
Hi everyone!
Have you all been enjoying the nice weather? It's been a lovely weekend here at the reserve so far, I thought I would let you know what's been going on...
Three little ringed plovers have providing a show at the Draper hide. There is obviously a pair and another bird (maybe a male trying to take over?) - the pair have been trying to chase off the third but it seems quite happy where it is. A couple of redshank have been around as well at the Draper.
The great tit's in the nestbox with the camera in are doing well. We have a television screen in the coffee rooms so you can see them - they are getting really big now, very close to fledging! Just as I'm writing this (its 2.47 pm) the first has made its first trip outside the box!
The kestrel's next to the visitor centre are doing well, the male is bringing food to her an she's been sitting on eggs. Often we can't see the female, the box looks empty but the female is just hunched over keeping the eggs warm. I took this picture earlier today, the female is just peeking over the edge of the box (excuse the bad photography!):
The first male is doing well. He has had his course of antibiotics and seems to have done quite well. He is still in the flight chamber strengthening his wings and should be released soon. If you haven't heard about our kestrel saga I blogged about it so if you would like to read it you can by going to http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/groups/ryemeads/blog/archive/2010/05/16/the-kestrel-saga.aspx)
The kingfisher's are doing well, busy busy feeding the babies. We estimate they'll fledge next weekend (29/ 30 May)! The adults have also been seen investigating the other holes in the bank so it looks like they might have another brood! I'll keep you up to date!