Local Birds and Wildlife News

By REVEREND HUGH LINN

Although Easter Monday's weather hardly encouraged birdwatching, I decided to brave the downpours with a visit to Gresford Flash with the car as a waterproof hide. The trip was certainly worthwhile. Two drake Teals, our smallest ducks, were sheltering under the roadside vegetation, and further out skimming over the water, in pursuit of insects.

There were between 200 and 300 Sandmartins, newly arrived from their winter quarters in tropical North Africa. With the Sandmartins were a few Swallows. Looking out over the soggy scene, I could not help thinking of the old adage that “one Swallow does not make a summer.” True, but there will be many more to come.

In amongst these migrants, the resident pair of Great Crested Grebes could just be seen joining together in their distinctive courtship ritual. In recent years, these beautiful birds have been successful breeders at the Flash.

The month of May is also a good time for spotting Bumblebees. A colourful variety of Bumblebees are out and about in gardens this month.

One of the most striking is the Red-Tailed Bumblebee which has a great fondness for chives. In recent years, Tree Bumblebees have taken over one of our nestboxes originally intended for House Sparrows and their Queen has been checking the box again this year.

Crested Grebes

Richly coloured Tawny Mining Bees spend a lot of their time digging in the lawns. Early Bumblebees and Garden Bumblebees, as their names suggest, are also much in evidence at this time of year.

May is also a good month for Dragonflies and Damsel Flies. The area around the River Alyn is popular with the appropriately named, Beautiful Demoiselles. Common Blue Damselflies can also be seen mating by flying in tandem around our area.

By now, most of our birds will be nesting and fledglings will be out and about with their parents. In recent years we have had a few records of Cuckoos calling in Trevalyn and Burton. Any records for this year will be much appreciated.