September is continuing to show plenty of kingfisher activity across the reserve. The flashes of electric blue were seen from Ramsar Hide, Sand Martin Hide, Scrape Hide, the Arun Riverlife Lagoon and even within the Lakes & Forest Exhibit. As water levels change and fish remain plentiful, kingfishers are taking advantage of the rich feeding opportunities around the wetlands.
Waterbirds are also gathering in increasing numbers as autumn progresses. Gadwall were recorded across multiple areas of the reserve, including the Scrape Hide, Ramsar Hide, Willow Sphere, Reedbed and Arun Riverlife Lagoon. This elegant duck is often overlooked in favour of more colourful species, but closer inspection reveals its beautifully intricate grey plumage. Alongside them, little grebes continued to be seen on several pools, including at Ramsar and Sand Martin Hide and Scrape Hide, where these small diving birds could be watched disappearing beneath the water in search of food.
The reserve's dragonflies are still making the most of the sunshine. During Wednesday's survey, volunteer Andrew recorded 15 migrant hawkers, seven common darters, five southern hawkers and seven willow emerald damselflies (pic above) and more.
Elsewhere, sightings included a marsh harrier, great grey wagtail, snipe, swallow, green woodpeckers, mandarin duck and numerous small birds such as chiffchaffs, blackcaps and Cetti's warblers, all reflecting the abundance of wildlife that can be found across the reserve as autumn migration gets underway.
Mon 21 September
Ramsar and Sand Martin Hide: 1 little grebe, 1 little egret, 1 kingfisher on the perch in front of Sand Martin Hide.
Waterside Walk: 1 green woodpecker
Scrape Hide: 1 little grebe, 1 robin, 1 great tit, 2 blue tits, 1 blackcap, 1 chiffchaff
Sun 20 September
Wetland Discovery: 1 female pochard, 12 mallards, 1 Cetti's warbler, 3 robins, 3 blue tits, 4 wood pigeons, 1 great tit, 3 tufted ducks, 1 coot, 2 wrens
Sat 19 September
Ramsar and Sand Martin Hide: 1 kingfisher
Scrape Hide: 1 kingfisher
Arun Riverlife Lagoon: 2 Egyptian geese, 17 mallards, 8 gadwall, 5 tufted ducks, 2 moorhens, 2 coots, 1 kingfisher
Fri 18 September
Woodland Loop: 1 green woodpecker, 20 mallards, 1 robin, 1 blackbird, 1 moorhen, 4 great tits, 5 wood pigeons, 2 chiffchaffs, 5 chaffinches, 2 blue tits
Butterfly Survey (11.10am-1pm): 8 common blues, 1 small copper, 2 clouded yellows
Thurs 17 September
Ramsar and Sand Martin Hide: 1 little grebe
Scrape Hide: 1 little grebe
Willow Sphere: 5 coots, 6 gadwall, 1 robin
Reedbed: 1 Cetti's warbler, 2 great tits, 3 blue tits, 2 robins, 1 green woodpecker
Wed 16 September
Arun Riverlife Lagoon: 1 grey wagtail, 3 gadwall, 1 tufted duck
Pelican Cove: 2 tufted ducks
Lakes & Forest Exhibit: 1 kingfisher
Woodland Loop: 1 mandarin duck
Reedbed: 4 gadwall
Scrape Hide: 14 shovelers, 2 moorhens, 20 mallards, 12 gadwall, 1 little grebe, 1 wood pigeon, 1 Cetti's warbler, 3 chiffchaffs, 1 robin
Sand Martin Hide: 1 grey heron, 1 snipe, 1 swallow, 5 teal
Waterside Walk: 1 tufted duck, 2 mute swans
Ramsar Hide: 2 cormorants, 2 Egyptian geese, 4 gadwall, 1 shoveler, 1 marsh harrier, 2 kingfishers
Front Boardwalk: 1 common lizard
Dragonfly Survey (11.20am-2.35pm): 7 common darters, 15 migrant hawkers, 3 ruddy darters, 1 common blue damselfly, 7 willow emerald damselflies, 5 southern hawkers, 2 red-eyed damselflies
