Report from 18 to 20 May

As migration winds down, the breeding season starts. The most conspicuous species these days is the Marsh Warbler, with
numerous individuals singing from the reedbed both day and night. By listening closely, one can identify the countless species –
from many different families – they imitate in their songs.
The heronry has gotten very lively. The plants where the herons nested last year have dried out due to the excessive number of
birds, and the herons moved a few meters away, using new bushes in the same stand of willows. The Sacred Ibis followed them,
and are already building one of their giant communal nests.
This spring has been cool and rainy, with only a few days suitable for watching butterflies. It is not a surprise that we haven’t
seen many. While numbers have been low, diversity has been good, and I have already seen 22 species so far. The last to
appear, just a few days ago, was the Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia).
The Great Crested Grebe is back on the main lake, where it has not breed for several years. A pair seems to have settled in, and
I hope to see evidence of nesting soon.