Merry Christmas
Well I am glad to say that water levels at Arundel have stayed at very low levels this Christmas, unlike the previous two winters!! This has meant that there is time to enjoy our winter visitors. Cold days provide the best chance of seeing the many Water rails on the reserve. Duck numbers are currently lower than one would expect with 3 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler and 30 Teal out on the scrapes this morning. Lapwing seem steady at 9 birds with a small number of Snipe being seen most days, although the true population remaining mostly hidden!
The Kingfisher/s have been showing well from Scrape, Ramsar, Sand martin hides, Arun riverlife and from the willow screen in the reedbed.
Water voles continue to be more active than usual and a Chiffchaff last week reminded me that these summer migrants now are a regular over wintering bird.
Good views of Bullfinches around much of the hedgerows and scrub areas and the odd blast of song from Cettis warbler as well.
