My First Visit to Summer Leys for over 20 years

17th May 2021

Yes, it is over 20 years since I have been to Summer Leys. I was never a regular visitor but sometimes called in for a day trip and to see the Tree Sparrows. I then retired and more recently took up photography and it dropped below my radar, so it was good to be back today and to see what it had in store.

Summer Leys is an ideal site for photography as there is always something of interest close to the hides. As an example my first point of call was the Rotary Hide which overlooks Rotary Island. Here there is a large Black-headed Gull colony which were busy bringing in nest material and sitting on nests with much toing and froing. 

Some of the twigs brought in were not really fit for purpose.

Ah, that's better.

There were also a couple of pairs of Common Terns present, deciding whether to delay their nesting attempt until after the gulls had departed.

At the Pioneer Hide there were great views of the Two-Metre Tern!!

Along the trail there was an assortment of warblers including Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Garden Warblers but today the only bird that was prepared to pose was this Chiffchaff, which was singing amongst the Hazel catkins.

But today the best hide was the double-decker Paul Britton Hide. This hide, as does the Pioneer Hide, overlooks the Wader Scrape which today was home to a few pairs of Redshank and feeding Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns, but also had a grassy bank in front of the hide which attracted a number of species. First up was this rather smart Pied Wagtail.

Jackdaws are fairly common but I rarely get the opportunity to take close-up photos so let's make the most of it.

Also a beautiful Lapwing strutted past the hide. Just look at those colours which change depending on the direction of the light on the bird. Also, a pair of birds took to the air when a Red Kite came too close.

Conditions were perfect for herons and egrets and so it wasn't too surprising that both landed in front of the hide. What was unexpected however was the appearance of a single Cattle Egret but unfortunately a little further away.

Also one of the Redshanks from the scrape appeared at the water's edge.

On the far bank one of the resident foxes emerged from cover, much to the concern of the Lapwing.

Then in the afternoon the cabaret started. There had been no Hobby activity during the morning despite perfect conditions of the cold weather bringing the insects down to ground level, but now up to five Hobbys appeared and two or three at a time were hawking fast and low over the scrape providing some great opportunities for some shots. What a great way to spend the afternoon.

Well, Summer Leys didn't disappoint and nice to meet Dave J who provided some useful background information about the site. I will definitely be back.