The online booking system worked fine and on arrival everyone was greeted by staff to ensure they had pre-booked and then directed to alternate parking bays. Two metre queuing into reception where it was only necessary to flash the booking on the phone; then on to Lizzie for some basic access info. Needless to say, no indoor seating, restaurant nor shop but outdoor picnic tables available and loos open with all alternate facilities taped off.
Most of reserve open although SMH was closed, due to Sand Martins rather than COVID I'm guessing. Other hides open with limited numbers but with only 200 visitors a day it wasn't a problem getting a seat. Needless to say the boardwalk is closed due to being too narrow for social distancing. Spent some time talking to Richard who I've not seen in a year or so.
The contractors were only just back on site this week so the Pelican exhibit hasn't changed much - large yellow JCBs, high-viz, hard hats and mostly more dried out than three months back but won't presumably look much 'til next year.
On the insect front strangely quiet but Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruby-tailed Wasp were new for the year and just this single orchid visible from the path. Most obvious change with no geese to flatten and chew the grass was that their compound is now knee high in daisies!
Bird wise rather too many 2cy Herring Gulls loafing which might be the cause of a complete lack of ducklings etc. Only one pair of Canada Geese had 'fluffball' young and the few Greylags were now fully grown. Quality was provided by a breeding plumage Cattle Egret, plenty of Cetti's and Acros, a Peregrine perched up in the hanger before powering over the reserve and a female Marsh Harrier in wing moult.
One Oystercatcher pair still had two young although the other pair lost their brood.
Everyone seemed glad to be there and hopefully a system for take away drinks etc might be possible in a few weeks.
Today on a brief outing for plants, an Oystercatcher flew out of the harbour, over the road and into the industrial estate carrying food, so presumably nesting on a roof or some such.
(Below male Bombus terrestris, Vespula rufa, female Eupeodes spp, goose enclosure, groundwork)
