Recent Sightings (16th-20th Dec)
British Steel Hide
Wader counts from the British Steel Hide have included 505 Black-tailed Godwits, 71 Curlew, 14 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 10 Greenshank, 9 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 69 Lapwing and 1 Spotted Redshank (19th). The Spoonbill has been seen on the lagoons up to the 19th where it was joined by a Great White Egret. Wildfowl have included 157 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 17 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 36 Shelduck, 30 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese and 2 Whooper Swans were seen flying up the estuary on the 18th. Other species have included Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrushes, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Blackbirds, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Redwings.
Millennium Wetlands
Wildfowl from the wetlands have included 5 Pochard, 21 Mallard, 16 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 19 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelduck, 10 Coot, 111 Gadwall, 3 Moorhen, 120 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Pintail and the female Ring-necked Duck is continuing its stay on the header pond (up until the 20th). Other species counts from the reserve have included 48 Redwing, 16 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 10 Song Thrush, 2 Grey Heron, 150 Starlings, 2 Ravens, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Bullfinches, 1 Kestrel, 3 Greenfinches, 3 Brambling (including 1 on the café feeders), 4 Reed Buntings, 8 Goldfinches, 4 Meadow Pipits, 1 Mistle Thrush and 2 Sparrowhawks, a Peregrine and 1 Fieldfare. A single Hawfinch is still on site, often seen feeding on Field Maples behind the Red-crowned Crane enclosure and behind the Michael Powell hide.
Other Wildlife
An Otter was seen hunting around the Deep Water Lake on the 17th and Foxes are becoming a regular feature on most walks around the reserve, especially on frosty mornings!
