Recent Sightings 5th - 11th November
Highlights: Pochard, Jack Snipe, Orange Peel Fungi, Purple Jelly Disc Fungi, Kestrel
A pleasant sighting this week on the Freshwater Lagoon were 6 Pochard on Friday morning. This is a threatened species, so it's nice to see them on site. Hopefully we will see more over the coming weeks as they migrate from Scandinavia and Russia to overwinter in the UK. They joined Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, and Shelduck also on the Lagoon.
Work on the reserve this week saw a digger on Deep Water Lake, reinforcing the Kingfisher bank and cleaning out ditches on the island. Whilst assisting the contractor, the Reserves Manager and Warden saw a Snipe and Jack Snipe. The 2 can be told apart because the Jack Snipe is smaller, has a shorter bill, is more elusive, and 'bobs' when foraging. Also, they are more difficult to spot than Snipe, as they prefer to hide in more cover.
A couple of colourful fungi species found about the Grounds this week were Orange Peel and Purple Jelly Disc.
While checking the cattle on the Saltmarsh, a Kestrel was seen hovering in the strong winds. It was then mobbed by a flock of Jackdaws, but this didn't deter it from continuing to hunt for prey.
