Recent Sightings 10th - 18th December
Highlights - Bittern, Female Otter with 3 pups, Lesser Redpoll and Tawny Owl.
British Steel Hide
The Saline Lagoons and Dafen Scrapes have been frozen over for much of the week, only recently starting to thaw. 6 Spoonbills, 2 Barnacle Geese and a Water Pipit have been seen out on the saltmarsh, but due to the ice the lagoons and scrapes have been almost void of waders and wildfowl.
Millennium Wetlands
The undoubted highlight of the week was a Bittern which was seen flying over the Lily Pond towards the Swans Nest maze, the last one recorded on the reserve was in 2018. A female Otter with 3 pups is still being seen occasionally. Due to the cold conditions Water Rails have been much easier to see than normal with individuals often being seen under the bird feeders behind the Peter Scott hide. A pair of Lesser Redpolls were seen along center path feeding on the Willow Herb seed heads. A Tawny Owl has been heard 'hooting' near the entrance to the carpark on a few evenings.
Reserve Management
Work to improve the woodland around the Northern Loop for Willow Tits has continued, with tree felling, scrub control and burning taking place.
