Wildlife sightings for 25th March 2017

1 Glaucous Gull (2nd cy) - main lake (pm)

1 Little Ringed Plover - grazing marsh

1 Black-Tailed Godwit - grazing marsh

3 Little Egret - grazing marsh

5 Shelduck - main lake, wader scrape

4 Redshank - main lake, grazing marsh

5 Pintail - main lake

5 Sand Martin - sheltered lagoon

5 Chiffchaff - wildside, sheltered lagoon

1 Willow Warbler - sheltered lagoon

1 Peregrine - over river

1 Kestrel -

March bird highlights: Bittern, Wheatear, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Shelduck, Jack Snipe, Garganey, Little Egret, Sand Martin, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, Kingfisher, Bearded Tit.

Winter birds round-up: Caspian Gull has been seen on the reserve or on the river since early January, along with several different Yellow-legged Gulls. The flooded marsh has attracted many of these Gulls as well as Snipe (10-12), Green Sandpiper (4 records since November), Water Pipit (1-2 present since October), Stonechats and Jack Snipe (a nationally important count of 5 birds). Across the whole site Shoveler numbers peaked February at 223 (>1% of the national GB population). Grazing Wigeon numbers have also remained good all winter (70-140 birds). After the first wintering Bittern was found 11th November, numbers peaked at 6 birds during January (nearly equalling the record of 7 a few years ago during similar icy conditions). Some really close-up views have been possible from the Headley Discovery Hide and the birds have been feeding all along the main lake and reservoir lagoon reed-fringed shores. 2 Bearded Tits have been spotted or heard irregularly on the main lake northern shore and reedbed, often not that far from the Headley Hide. Firecrest recorded January and February in the wildside and sheltered lagoon.

Butterlies and other insects: Red Admiral (24th Feb), Brimstone (7th March), Speckled Wood, Small White, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoishell (all 15th March); Buff-tailed Bumblebees on the wing early March.

Reptiles: Grass Snake juvenile seen in wildside 5th March; 2 Common Lizards seen along south route 7th March.

Water Voles: Most activity early March in wildside ponds.

Flowering plants: Primrose, Sweet Violet, Chickweed, Lungwort, Coltsfoot, Butcher’s Broom, Wild Daffodil, Blackthorn, Wild Plum, Hazel, Marsh Marigold, Silver Birch, Red Dead-nettle.

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