Wildlife sightings for 7th January 2012
2 Bittern - south side of main lake, reedbed channel by Wildside hide 2 Shelduck - main lake 4 Pintail - 3 male 1 female, wader scrape 1 Peregrine - male, hunting over main lake and marsh [...]
2 Bittern - south side of main lake, reedbed channel by Wildside hide
2 Shelduck - main lake
4 Pintail - 3 male 1 female, wader scrape
1 Peregrine - male, hunting over main lake and marsh
31 Cormorant - main lake. Expect to see Cormorant numbers rise over the month
170 Teal - mostly on marsh
2 Jack Snipe - marsh, main lake
12 Snipe - marsh, scrape and main lake
21 Repoll sp. - waterlife and entrance lake
4 Siskin - sheltered lagoon
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Pheasant, Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Stonechat, Bullfinch.
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.
Check through any Tit flocks for possible Goldcrest and Firecrest at this time of year. Over-wintering Chiffchaff will often feed with these flocks as well. There are at least 5 Cetti’s Warbler on the reserve.
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.
Listen out for the distinctive ‘pinging’ call of Bearded Tits that have recently been spotted in the reedbeds. Further small flocks of this species can be expected as temperatures drop.
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.
