Winter around the corner?
At last a frost and followed by a fantastic bright morning. This illuminated the collection birds especially on the Lakes and forests exhibit. Should have had my camera with me as I passed a Kingfisher perched on bramble with a fish in its mouth. Would have been tricky whilst driving the tractor though. Clues to colder weather in north eastern europe were some fieldfare and redwing feeding on berries from the 6 year old hedgerow edging wetlands discovery. Snipe numbers have climbed slowly to around 10. These birds are masters of camouflage and the true numbers out on the wild areas could be three times this. Pochard numbers took a little leap this week from the steady dozen up to 25!
The secretive water rail have slipped into the reserve from eastern europe and seem to show themselves only as light levels fall. I had some great views of these from the reedbed hide whilst watching the 400 starlings coming into roost. Four rails appeared on the channels in front of the hide, looking like clockwork ducks as they scrambled after each other into the thick cover. A fifth rail began calling from the other side of the reedbed.
This time of year has a very evocative air about it, especially as the light deminishes at the end of the day. The air is heavy with moisture and the reedbed gives off a musty loamy scent. This is the time one may see a bittern coming into roost or the distant calls of Bewicks Swans making their way to the reserve to roost over night and the calls of snipe as they fly off to feed. The familiar shape of a woodcock flying over the reserve as it leaves its woodland day time retreat is one of these moments that I have seen this week. Winter is just around the corner, but don't be glum, get out there and enjoy the best nature has to offer at this time of year.
