Recent Sightings - 21st December 2020
Our recent "infrequent" visitors are still hanging around on the reserve this week. The female Scaup was seen roosting among the Tufted Duck in the Main lake this morning. It would appear she prefers the company of similar birds at night. Though has since moved to her usual spot, diving for food on the Saline lagoon. The Water Rail was seen there, around the lagoon edges this morning. It has lived up to it's reputation in remaining elusive of late, but it demonstrates how great they are at hiding.
A total surprise this morning was the call of a Cuckoo coming from the woodland! Upon closer inspection, the culprit for the call was a mimicking Raven. Ravens are master mimics. They mimic all sorts of bird calls and sounds. Captive Ravens have even been trained to speak a few words and phrases! This Raven must have come across a Cuckoo in the summer time, remembered it's call and enjoys re-calling it, to impress other birds.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 39, Shelduck 137, Wigeon 21, Teal 3, Oystercatcher 25, Curlew 5, Redshank 8, Greenshank 4, Black-tailed Godwit 4, Black-headed gull 2, Common Gull 1, Grey Heron 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 186, Tufted duck 13, Scaup 1, Teal 7, Gadwall 2, Greylag Goose 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 42, Mallard 13
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 2, Redshank 8, Greenshank 1, Teal 21, Coot 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 7, Moorhen 4, Coot 1, Teal 11
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 4, Water Rail 1, Teal 1 Black-headed gull 1, Moorhen 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw 12
Limestone Lake
Little Grebe 1, Mallard 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Greenshank 1, Redshank 2, Black-headed Gull 1
Peninsula Field
Woodpigeon 20
Woodland
Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue tit, Coal tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Raven, Wood Pigeon
