Bird News

Few reports coming in from around the reserve at the moment, as the weather seems to be keeping many paople indoors. However there are still lots of birds around for those who put on an extra jumper !

A single European White-fronted Goose was with a small (less than 30) group of Pink-footed Geese in the field at the back of the Mere for at least the latter part of the day, with the usual good numbers of Whooper Swan, Mallard, Shoveller, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, and Pochard on the Mere itself. A late morning count revealed 770 Shelduck viewable from the In Focus shop.

A single Oystercatcher is fairly unusual on the Mere at this time of year but one, probably this individual, has been a regular on the Mere for a number of weeks, joining the expected group of Ruff (probably about 50 individuals are wintering this year) and varying numbers of Black-tailed Godwits (up to 30 in recent days).

Small passerines seem to bet gathering in larger flocks at the moment, with mixed groups of Blue, Great, Coal, and Long-tailed Tits often joined by Goldcrests and Great Spotted Woodpecker around the nature trails. Around the feeders, lots of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow with a few Reed Buntings and the occasional Brambling.

Kingfishers were seen from near the Janet Kear hide today, as well as from the regular spot in front of the Ron Barker hide, where Watwer Rail has again been showing.

 

 

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