Wildlife sightings for 7th December 2011
1 Bittern - main lake N shore, to the right of Headley Hide looking from Peacock Tower. 52 Wigeon - marsh 1 Pintail - marsh 72 Teal - marsh, scrape 1 Jack Snipe - flew across mai [...]
1 Bittern - main lake N shore, to the right of Headley Hide looking from Peacock Tower.
52 Wigeon - marsh
1 Pintail - marsh
72 Teal - marsh, scrape
1 Jack Snipe - flew across main grazing marsh channel, to the right
6 Snipe - marsh, scrape
4 Stonechat - marsh, reedbed
2 Chiffchaff - waterlife, wildside
7 Redpoll - waterlife
6 Siskin - sheltered lagoon
Recent bird highlights: Smew, Bittern, Peregrine, Buzzard, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, Bearded Tit and Mealy Redpoll.
Redwing, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipits and migrant Blackbird and Song Thrush are moving westwards on a daily basis. Some will drop into the hedges which are laden with Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Rosehip fruit.
Look out for a real rarity like a Yellow-browed Warbler or Firecrest that tend to follow mixed Tit flocks around the tree/shrub and scrub blocks.
The grazing marsh is good for Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit and grazing Wigeon. Jack Snipe are currently preferring to feed or rest along the right-hand side of the main marsh channel.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll are feeding amongst the Alder and Birch trees.
Flocks of wintering duck have settled on the reserve with Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal all on the increase. Wigeon are beginning to graze on the marsh in larger numbers as temperatures start to drop.
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.
Bats:There are still small numbers of Soprano Pipistrelle being seen around dusk.
Moths: Large Wainscot, Feathered Thorn, Light-brown Apple, Brick.
Late flowering plants: Common Knapweed, Deptford Pink, Red Campion, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Ragwort, Marsh Marigold.
