Recent Sightings 19th - 24th February
Highlights: Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, Yellow legged Gull, Red Admiral, Woodcock, Otters
British Steel Hide
Friday mornings bird count saw a good variety of birds just after high tide, a Ruff was feeding amongst the Black-tailed Godwits; and a Bar-tailed Godwit was resting with the Curlew; 5 Spoonbill continue to be seen quite often resting in the 2nd Saline Lagoon; Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Lapwing and 2 Spotted Redshank were also taking full advantage of the freshly flooded Salt Marshes. A couple of Reed Buntings and a Water Pipit were seen out past the Saline Lagoons; whilst a Kingfisher showed off its iridescent colours sat on the fence posts; a Peregrine Falcon and a Buzzard were also spotted resting on the fence posts from afar. A female Sparrowhawk was seen flying over the Salt Marsh and following that a male Sparrowhawk was seen displaying over the Grounds.
On Friday Dafen Scrapes hosted a 2nd Winter Yellow-legged Gull, and the female Long-tailed Duck continues to been seen here too. Amongst the Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, 2 Snipe were showing well, in addition to a couple of Rock Pipits, a Meadow Pipit and a Male Pintail.
A Lesser Redpoll was seen feeding on seed heads between the Observatory and Boardwalk Hides.
Millennium Wetlands
Signs of spring are being found across the reserve with Red Admiral butterflies emerging, Snowdrop flowers blooming, along with birds starting to sing and display in preparation for the upcoming nesting season. Hopefully it won't be long before the spring migrants being to arrive and ducklings are being spotted. In the Northern Loop Siskins have been seen as well as Goldcrests, Long-tailed tits, Bullfinches, Treecreepers, Goldfinches and 2 Willow tits; a Woodcock was also flushed from cover in this area. Little Grebes are frequently heard singing on Deep Water Lake, making a distinct sound almost like a pony neighing.
The Otters continue to be seen on Deep Water Lake showing well from the Herons Wing Hide, one was putting on a fantastic display Friday afternoon porpoising out of the water and catching fish.
A Moth trap was put out Friday evening with 4 species caught: Pale Brindled Beauty, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab, and Dotted Boarder.
Work on the reserve this week has included finishing up the last bits of willow scrub control with our lovely Wednesday volunteers; and installing Willow Tit nest boxes on the Northern Loop, hopefully the pair on site will have more than enough suitable areas in which to nest now! (Fingers crossed)
