Wildlife sightings for 22nd August 2012
40 Shoveler - scrape and main lake
80 Teal - scrape and main lake
3 Green Sandpiper - scrape
1 Little Ringed Plover - main lake
36 Lapwing - main lake
1 Wheatear - perched on grazing marsh bridge
Recent bird highlights: Garganey, Peregrine, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Wood Warbler, Wheatear, Crossbill.
Autumn migration has started with a build-up of post-breeding migrants appearing on the reserve.
Waders like Sandpipers and Godwits have been dropping in with a few roosting on the main lake. Look out for regular Green Sandpiper over the next few weeks out on the marsh or the scrape. The wader scrape has been cut back to open up feeding areas for these kinds of birds.
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff have increased since the start of the month as migrants start to move south through the country. Expect to see Swallows feeding and passing through now. The Common Tern chicks have all fledged with a few adults and juveniles still drifting back to the main lake occasionally to feed. Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall and Little Grebe broods can all be found throughout the reserve.
Flowering plants: Mallow, Betony, Marsh Woundwort, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Field Scabious, Devil’s Bit Scabious, Red Dead-nettle, Hop Trefoil, Kidney Vetch, Tufted Vetch, Common Vetch, Grass Vetchling, Meadow Vetchling, Great Burnet, Herb Robert, Yellow Flag, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Water Mint, Pyramidal Orchid, St.John’s-wort, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife, Self Heal, Common Hawkweed, Common Knapweed, Yellow Bartsia, Wild Parsnip, Bastard Cabbage, Monkey-flower, Water Plantain, Meadowsweet, Red Clover, White Clover, Lady’s Bedstraw, White Campion, Ribbed Melilot, Black Meddick. The tall herb fen meadows in wildside are looking at their best right now, as are all the wildflower fields across the reserve.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small White, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter.
Reptiles: Common Lizards very active along the South Route, often scurrying across the paths. The first hatchlings are now appearing, look for very small, dark lizards on the bridge handrails.
