Marsh Harriers and Waders
A nice selection of birds over the past couple of days with new waders dropping in and new Marsh Harriers arriving.
At least 4 different Marsh Harrier with 2 juveniles, a 2nd year bird and an adult male seen around the reserve. Other raptors included a juvenile Peregrine, 4 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl can occasionally be seen in the open sided barn viewed from the Harrier Hide.
On the wader front a minimum of 3 Green Sandpiper seen together from the Kingfisher Hide. Up to 15 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6+ Common Snipe, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit and 300+ Lapwing.
Most of the wildfowl are in eclipse plumage with Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted Duck all present. Both Greylag and Canada Geese are starting to build in number (in the hundreds). These feral birds will eventually be dwarfed by tens of thousands of Pink-footed Geese which will arrive on mass in September/October.
Around the reserve 6+ Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret and 5 Cormorants. Noticeable again are small numbers of warblers with Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blasckcap, Chiffchaff and Reed Warblers being seen off the Nature Trail.
At least 2 Kingfisher with birds being seen from the Ron Barker and Harrier Hides.
Two young Yellow Wagtail were reported distantly from the Ron Barker Hide yesterday.
It should be possible to see over 50 species in a day without too much effort, although a telescope is very useful. If you are visiting the reserve we have a full list of the birds at the in focus shop and we should be able to point you in the right direction to get the best out of your visit.
