Reserves Intern Ella Broom snapped these gorgeous wildflowers whilst undertaking orchid surveys at Martins’ Meadows recently. The meadow is covered in beautiful plants including bugle, yellow rattle, red clover and twayblade. 

Due to its geographical position, Trimley Marshes is a prime spot for passage waders as it provides highly productive and extensive intertidal mudflats and freshwater marsh habitat for birds on migration routes. Many birds that visit the UK are known as 'passage' birds, due to their relatively short stay time, usually on the way to summer breeding areas or overwintering grounds.   

Recently, Trimley Marshes has seen visits from passage waders such as purple heron, Temminck's stint, little stint and wood sandpiper. Purple heron usually breeds in Southern Europe and Africa, and, when seen in the UK, is often on a spring southerly wind, potentially staying into the summer. Both Temminck's stint and wood sandpiper breed in the Arctic and Northern Europe and are passage in the UK as they stop over on their migration route. Temminck's stint are considered rare - they are a schedule 1 bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

Reserves Intern Rowan Tomsett recorded a cuckoo calling along with Cetti's warbler, sedge warbler and little grebe at Trimley Marshes. 

An enthusiastic group visited Carlton Marshes for our evening chorus walk this week. They had to battle strong, cold northerly winds which meant that singing birds were very few and far apart, but this didn't deter anyone. A big thanks to volunteers Andrew Easton and Chris Mutimer for leading the walk and sharing their knowledge. The group enjoyed great views of waders, highlighted by the sight of a pectoral sandpiper - the third record for Carlton. On the way back to the centre everyone was excited to catch the wonderful view of an otter bounding across the marsh, which topped off a special (if a bit chilly!) evening. 

Warden Joe Bell-Tye has taken some stunning photos of butterflies and other winged beauties at Lackford Lakes this week. 

Lackford Lakes is also awash with wonderful wildflowers. 

It’s the time of year to trim our reserve trails so visitors can enjoy the reserves without getting lost in the vegetation. 

Here are some more lovely views and clips from across our reserves.