Wildlife sightings for 19th March 2016
1 Shelduck - wader scrape
4 Redshank - wader scrape, grazing marsh
6 Snipe - grazing marsh
1 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon
2 Pintail - main lake
1 Brambling - South route feeders
2 Chiffchaff - sheltered lagoon
6 Siskin - sheltered lagoon
2 Sand Martin - our firsts of the year, headed N p.m.
March bird highlights: Brent Goose, Shelduck, Goosander, Buzzard, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Woodcock, Redshank, Little Egret, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Iceland Gull, Kingfisher, Stonechat, Willow Warbler, Brambling, Crossbill.
There’s been some good early spring migration on the reserve with sightings of Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and Willow Warbler. Lapwings and Redshanks are displaying and marking out territories across the marsh, scrape and main lake. A few Redpolls and Siskins can be searched for in any of the Alder trees along the south route or wildside. The last few Redwings and Fieldfares are slowly heading east. February/early March have seen the highest counts of Shoveler this winter with most of the flock out on the flooded marsh, along with smaller numbers of Pintail, Wigeon and more unusual Gull species like Yellow-legged Gull. The Teal have been favouring the flooded wader scrape when not feeding on the river at low tide. There’s plenty of signs of spring with singing Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Siskin, Dunnock and Robin.
Early flowering species: Hazel, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Willow sp., Aspen, Bulbous Buttercup, Butterbur, Colt’s Foot, Common Field Speedwell, Common Vetch, Common Whitlowgrass, Cowslips, Crocus, Daisy, Dandelion, Groundsel, Lesser Celandine, Forget-me-not, Marsh Marigold, White and Red Dead-nettle, Petty Spurge, Primrose, Common Mouse-ear, Sweet Violet, Winter Aconite.
Bats: First records for 2016: Soprano pipistrelle – 5th Jan, Daubenton’s bat – 6th Jan.
Insects: Common Carder Bee, Small Tortoishell
