Wildlife sightings for 25th January 2012
101 Wigeon – marsh, scrape, main lake 3 Pintail – 2 male, 1 female. Main lake and marsh channel 15 Snipe – grazing marsh, main lake 2 Reed Bunting – male singing ne [...]
101 Wigeon – marsh, scrape, main lake
3 Pintail – 2 male, 1 female. Main lake and marsh channel
15 Snipe – grazing marsh, main lake
2 Reed Bunting – male singing near Peacock Tower, female by wildside feeders
5 Siskin – near cafe and explore feeders
Additional sightings from yesterday:
1 Shelduck - main lake
15 Common Gull - main lake, scrape, marsh
38 Cormorant - main lake
268 Black-headed Gull - site count
66 Herring Gull - marsh, main lake
19 Lesser Black-backed Gull - marsh, main lake
12 Greater Black-backed Gull - marsh, main lake
1 Yellow-legged Gull - main lake
1 Collared Dove - near entrance area
36 Redwing - entrance area and near Headley hide
6 Siskin - over sheltered lagoon
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Stonechat, Bullfinch, Rock Pipit and Mealy Redpoll.
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.
The first Bitterns (2) arrived mid-October and 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.
Cetti’s Warbler are becoming more vocal at present with at least 6 birds to be found across the reserve.
Fungi: Nitrous Bonnet (WW), Saffron Milkcap (WW), Candlesnuff Fungus (SL), Girdled Knight (SL), Silver-leaf Fungus (SL), Meadow Coral (EL), Clustered Bonnet (WD), Oak Mazegill (WD), Deceiver (WD), Ochre Aldercap (WD), Snowy Waxcap (EL), Leaf Parachute (SL).
Flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Hazel catkins, Blackthorn, Hawthorn (in leaf).
