Wildlife sightings for 13th November 2011
1 Bittern - north side of main lake, best seen from Dulverton hide 2 Peregrine - bathing by long shingle island in front of observatory 24 Wigeon - marsh channel, sheltered lagoon 1 Jack S [...]
1 Bittern - north side of main lake, best seen from Dulverton hide
2 Peregrine - bathing by long shingle island in front of observatory
24 Wigeon - marsh channel, sheltered lagoon
1 Jack Snipe
2 Stonechat - marsh
5 Lesser Redpoll - over collection
Additional sightings from yesterday:
1 Shelduck - scrape
1 Pintail - female, reservoir lagoon
16 Pochard
2 Sparrowhawk - male and female
26 Common Snipe
1 (possibly 2) Jack Snipe
1 Dunlin - main lake
11 Common Gull
1 Kingfisher - car park ditch
1 Grey Wagtail
3 Goldcrest
7 Chiffchaff
8 Lesser Redpoll
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, Short-eared Owl, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Mealy Redpoll.
Autumn migration continues with the chance of a range of spotting unusual waders, Warblers, Pipits and other passerines anywhere on the reserve.
Skylarks, Redwing, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipits and migrant Blackbird and Song Thrush are moving westwards on a daily basis. Some will drop into the hedges and scrub blocks which are laden with Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Rosehip fruit.
Late Wheatear might be found on the short, grazed grass banks on the marsh along with Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Rock and Water Pipit.
Look out for a real rarity like a Yellow-browed Warbler that tend to follow the Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit flocks around.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch and Redpoll are feeding amongst the tall Alder and Birch trees.
Jack Snipe has been spotted several times on the scrape or marsh on the edges of long vegetation.
Flocks of wintering duck have settled on the reserve with Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal all on the increase.
The first Bitterns (2) arrived mid-October and can be found on the main lake, sheltered lagoon reed fringes, or the main reedbed at present.
Bats: The last bat survey of the year revealed good numbers of Soprano, Nathusius' and Common Pipistrelles, several Daubenton's Bats feeding on the wader scrape and a Leisler's Bat near the centre.
Butterflies: Red Admiral.
