Pochards, lapwing & common gull

A flock of lapwing has been appearing in mornings with numbers at Scrape and the Ramsar/Sand Martin hides holding between 148 and nearly 200 birds on different days.

Their sharp calls add energy to the wetlands, especially when flocks lifted suddenly in response to passing raptors such as the ringtail hen harrier seen over Lapwing Hide on the 18th. The reserve’s open mud and shallow pools provide ideal feeding and roosting conditions for these charismatic waders.

Oystercatchers are back – a single bird on the 15th and two more on the 14th at the Ramsar and Sand Martin hides. Their bold black‑and‑white plumage and bright orange bills stood out against the muted winter palette. These early‑year sightings hint at the gradual shift toward spring, when oystercatchers begin to move inland and explore potential breeding territories. Two pair usually nest on site.

Three Common gulls were recorded on the 14th among mixed flocks of black‑headed gulls. Though often overlooked, common gulls have softer grey tones and more delicate build distinguishing them from their noisier black‑headed counterparts.

Pochards, meanwhile, have been the most consistently encountered species across the entire site, appearing in almost every corner of the reserve. From single birds in the Wetland Discovery Area to groups of eight or more at the Ramsar and Scrape hides, and even pairs tucked into the Lakes and Forest exhibits, pochards have been quietly abundant. Their chestnut heads and slate‑grey bodies are a familiar sight in mid‑winter with a steady influx of these diving ducks - counts reaching double figures on several days.

Highlights: hen harrier, great egrets, goosander, oystercatchers, common gulls,

Wed 18 Feb

Lapwing hide: 1 ringtail hen harrier flying over.Wetland Discovery Area: 1 pochard

Ramsar & Sand martin hide: 9 pochards

Scrape hide: 197 lapwing, 46 cattle egrets, 1 goosander, 10 mallards, 7 Canada geese, 4 pochards, 1 song thrush

Old Trumpeter pen: 1 pochard

Lakes and forest exhibits: 2 pochard , a pair.

Arun Riverlife lagoon: 2 pochard.

Tues 17 Feb

Wetland Discovery area: 2 pochard

Bewick's Swan exhibit: 2pochard

Scrape hide: 4 pochard, 1 goosander, 2 shelducks

Ramsar and Sand martin hides: 13 cormorants, 57 cattle egrets, 105 black-headed gulls, 177 lapwing, 25 snipe, 18 teal, 2 wood pigeon, 8 gadwall, 18 shoveler, 10 mallards, 20 Canada geese, 28 greylag geese, 4 cackling X barnacle geese, 5 tufted ducks, 8 pochards, 4 coots, 5 moorhens, 1 Egyptian geese, 1 great white egret, 1 blackbird

Arun Riverlife lagoon: kingfisher

Mon 16 Feb

Wetland Discovery: 1 pochard

Lapwing hide: 1 coot, 6 mallards, 2 Canada geese, 2 blue tits

Ramsar and Sand Martin hide: 4 great white egrets, 160 lapwings, 18 snipe

Scrape hide: 10 pochard

Sun 15 Feb

Ramsar and Sand martin hide: 1 great white egret, 45 cattle egret, 58 lapwing, 1 oystercatcher, 42 snipe, 2 shelducks, 3 pochards

Scrape hide: 2 shelducks, 11 pochards, 1 goosander

Waterside walk: 1 snipe

Wetland Discovery: 1 great tit, 17 moorhens, 1 Cetti’s warbler, 2 mallards, 2 coots, 2 Canada geese, 2 tufted ducks

Arun Riverlife lagoon: 5 pochard.

Sat 14 Feb

Arun Riverlife lagoon: 10 tifted ducks, 7 pochard, 21 mallards, 8 anada geese, 2 greylag gees, 2 coots, 2 gadwall, 1 wood pigeon

Scrape hide: 7 pochard

Waterside walk: 2 pochard

Ramsar and Sand martin hides: 1 great white egret, 148 lapwings, 22 cattle egrets, 2 oystercatchers, 35 snipe, 3 common gull, 56 black-headed gulls.

Arun Riverlife lagoon: kingfisher

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