Latest Sightings
A bit of a wash out on Wednesday with rain throughout most of the day. It wasn't too windy and was still quite mild so it could have been worse!
Although most of the Pink-footed Geese were off site during the poor weather, we have had around 17000 roosting. There should be a lot more coming and going in the next few days. Quiet for Whooper Swan on the reserve at present with 120 birds counted off site the other day.
Other wildfowl present include; 1500+ Teal, 200 Wigeon, 700 Mallard, 40 Pintail, 60 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 60+ Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck and 2 Pochard.
With Long-billed Dowitcher and American Golden Plover only 6 miles away (as the rare North American waders fly...) the waders on site are worth a grilling even if currently we have 700+ Lapwing, 70+ Ruff, 60+ Snipe and Dunlin present.
Recent raptors; 5+ Marsh Harrier, 6+ Buzzard including a very pale juvenile bird, Peregrine, 4 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl out when the rain stopped.
Up to 800 Black-headed Gulls coming into roost. Small numbers of Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, a few Herring Gull and a couple of Great Black-backed Gull (imm + Ad) present.
Other sightings included 120+ Stock Dove, 60+ Tree Sparrow, 2 Raven, 55 Jackdaw, 2 Stonechat, Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, 15+ Long-tailed Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest.
It is currently possible to see 60+ species in a days birding on the reserve without too much effort.
Call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide to report any sightings or to get the latest on what is around and the best places to see them.
