25.04.2026 - Outdoor Meeting : Lackford Lakes

​Led by Nick Edwards
Report & Bird List: Mandy Etherington
​
10 of us met in the car park at Lackford Lakes on a beautiful spring morning. It was nice to welcome 2 new members & some who aren't often able to make the outdoor trips. We headed straight to Sayers Breck in search of Nightingale. Almost as soon as we were through the gate we heard one singing in the scrub alongside the entrance track. Despite some time searching we could not find the bird, and this was the theme for the morning!

At least 5 singing males serenaded us as we crossed the breck & went into the scrub. On a number of occasions it sounded like one was right in front of us but other than a brief glimpse they stayed hidden. It didn't matter, just hearing the beautiful song was enough.
There was also a Cuckoo calling, the first one this year for many of us, along with numerous Blackcap, Garden warbler & Chiffchaff.
We headed back to the Visitor Centre for a quick coffee break before taking the East Lakes trail. There was nothing unexpected on the
lakes but it was nice to see a Little Ringed plover on one of the scrapes. Just outside one of the hides a Green Hairstreak butterfly was
showing well. For many of us it was the first time seeing this beautiful butterfly. After lunch we took the very short circular Kingfisher trail. No kingfishers seen but a Treecreeper was added to the list. Then we took a final wander up the entrance road and found a Willow warbler.
A really lovely relaxed days bird watching in good company.

Bird List

Mute Swan Canada Goose Egyptian Goose 
Greyag Goose Mallard Tufted Duck
Gadwall Shelduck Wigeon
Teal Shoveler Moorhen
Coot Great-crested grebe Cormorant
Black-headed gull Lesser black-backed gull Grey Heron
Common Tern Oystercatcher Lapwing
Avocet Little Ringed plover Kestrel
Hobby Red kite Buzzard
Jackdaw Rook Carrion crow
Magpie Stock dove Woodpigeon
Mistle thrush Song thrush Blackbird
Nightingale Robin Dunnock
Blue tit Great tit Marsh tit
Long-tailed tit Goldfinch Linnet
Chaffinch Chiffchaff Blackcap
Garden warbler Willow warbler Cettis warbler
Whitethroat Sedge Warbler Reed bunting
Wren Pied wagtail Treecreeper
Pheasant Skylark Swallow
Cuckoo

Butterflies:
Peacock Orange Tip
Holly Blue Brimstone
Green Hairstreak