Wildlife sightings for 23rd February 2012
1 Shelduck - main lake 8 Pintail - main lake, grazing marsh 51 Wigeon - grazing marsh 123 Cormorant - main lake 1 Peregrine - seen arriving on building over the river, clutching prey a [...]
1 Shelduck - main lake
8 Pintail - main lake, grazing marsh
51 Wigeon - grazing marsh
123 Cormorant - main lake
1 Peregrine - seen arriving on building over the river, clutching prey and trailing its feathers
29 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake
4 Cetti's Warbler - all singing: north side reservoir lagoon, reedbed, entrance lake, near Peacock Tower
6 Lesser Redpoll - feeding on alder seeds with Goldfinch in waterlife
Also:
1 juvenile Slow Worm - Castlenau bank
Recent bird highlights: Goosander, Bittern, Peregrine, Buzzard, Red Kite, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Ruff, Caspian Gull and Skylark.
The grazing marsh is currently in flood and attracting large numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Snipe, Pintail and Wigeon. Jack Snipe can also be found on the marsh, along with Stonechat and occasional Pipit species.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll are feeding amongst the Alder and Birch trees. Redwing and Fieldfare numbers have risen dramatically with most choosing to feed on the berry-laden Holly trees and Hawthorns near the entrance lake.
The first Bitterns arrived mid-October and now up to 3 can be found anywhere on the reed fringes of the main lake, sheltered lagoon, reservoir lagoon or main reedbed.
Look out for possible Scaup amongst the Tufted Duck flocks. The cold weather is displacing many species so that any irregular species could show up on the reserve.
Cetti’s Warbler are becoming more vocal at present with at least 7 birds to be found across the reserve. Skylark are flying through with the occasional bird landing on the marsh.
Flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Hazel catkins, Willow sp. (in leaf), Blackthorn, Hawthorn (in leaf).
