Nature News - May highlights

Posted on 17/06/2025

The Millennium Country Park in Marston Moretaine is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, and each month brings new surprises. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or just someone who enjoys a peaceful walk in nature, there’s always something exciting to spot. As June begins, we look back on an action-packed May at the Park – in total we recorded 81 bird species on site. 

Let’s dive in and share some of May’s highlights. 

 View full May bird list here

Warblers & welcome voices 

May was all about songbirds. The nightingale’s (Luscinia megarhynchos) rich, fluting song was a seasonal highlight, joined by the lively calls of many species of warbler, including whitethroats (Curruca communis), lesser whitethroats (Curruca curruca), garden warblers (Sylvia borin), willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus), and blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla). Reed (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and sedge (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) warblers continue to make use of our reedbed habitat, and chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita) continued their familiar rhythm in the canopy. 

Images left to right: reed warbler and whitethroat, both taken by Martin Rogers.

The aerial artists 

Our skies came alive with swifts (Apus apus), swallows (Hirundo rustica), house martins (Delichon urbicum), and sand martins (Riparia riparia) zooming over the lakes and meadows. The speedy hobby (Falco subbuteo) also made several appearances, expertly chasing insects in flight. 

Image: swallow

New to May: surprises & rarities 

New arrivals compared to April included a pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) and a brief sighting of a ruff (Calidris pugnax) - seen on one of our volunteer led bird walks. 

We welcomed back our turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) in May - a Red List species rapidly declining in the UK – with at least a couple of pairs recorded on site, a hopeful sign that we are creating suitable and diverse habitats for this rare summer visitor. Equally exciting was the continuing presence of our bitterns (Cuculus canorus), a secretive reedbed dweller recovering in numbers, thanks to conservation efforts. 

 Images left to right: turtle doves taken at the Millennium Country Park by Martin Rogers, & a ruff.

On the ground & over the reeds 

Wetland life remained busy, with greylag (Anser anser) and canada geese (Branta canadensis) doubling in numbers in May as a mixed group graced the Wetlands Nature Reserve with several extremely cute goslings. Species of Ducks and Grebes were also busy, seen either nesting or displaying. In the early stages of spring, or the breeding season for birds, the shallow islands, or Pillinge in the Wetlands Nature Reserve is the best spot to catch a glimpse of some baby waders.   

Raptors soared regularly - red kites (Milvus milvus), buzzards (Buteo buteo), marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus), and kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) made frequent patrols across the reserve. 

Images left to right: red kite (Liz Hall) and Canada geese.

Thriving woodland & meadowlife 

In the woodlands, wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes), robins (Erithacus rubecula), and Thrushes were all busy feeding broods. Magpies (Pica pica), jays (Garrulus glandarius), and crows (Corvus corone) added their usual charm (and chatter), heard way up in the tree canopy. Finches and buntings like chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), linnet (Linaria cannabina), and reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) brought colour and song to hedgerows and scrub.  

Images left to right: male and female reed bunting taken by Martin Rogers.

What’s Next? 

With birds in full breeding mode and warmer days ahead, we’re excited to see what June brings. Thanks to everyone who shared sightings - keep your binoculars handy and be sure to get out and enjoy the Forest! 

 View full May bird list here