Wildlife sightings for 13th November 2017
1 Marsh Harrier (female) - main lake N shore/reedbed edge a.m., flew off high SE at 1015hrs
1 Goldeneye - reservoir lagoon
1 Brambling (male) - entrance area, under the birdfeeders by the shop
7 Water Rail - reedbed(5), wildside(1), marsh(1)
36 Redwing - wildside(18) + over SW+W(18)
8 Siskin - over SW+S+N+E
5 Redpoll - wildside(2) + over SW(3)
22 Meadow Pipit - over S
October/early November bird highlights: Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Red Kite, Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat, Linnet, Wheatear, Firecrest, Brambling, Skylark, Water Pipit, Crossbill, Bullfinch.
Migrants are still dropping in or passing through during November – any species is possible but look out for Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare in numbers. The fences around the marsh are a good spot for some of these passerines (like Stonechat), while the muddier parts of the marsh, main lake and wader scrape may have some waders (like Dunlin or Snipe). Tree blocks with a good mix of Willows may hold some interesting Warbler species or Firecrest, often mixed in with more common Tits and Goldcrests. Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler continue to arrive for the winter ahead. The first Redpolls and Siskins arrived early in October, followed by the first Redwings.
Fungi: Fluted Bird’s-nest(entrance area), Shaggy Parasol(world wetlands), Snowy Inkcap(overflow car park), Blackening Waxcap, Upright Coral(wildside), False Death Cap(Hornbeam car park beds), Bleached Brittlegil(world wetlands Birch trees), Brown Rollrim, Split Fibrecap(world wetlands), Gaint Puffball(wildside).
Butterflies: Red Admiral.
Dragonflies/Damseflies: Ruddy Darter.
