Recent Sightings 25th February - 4th March
Highlights - Firecrest, Water Pipit, Otters, Merlin and Stock Dove
British Steel Hide
A Merlin was seen perched out on the saltmarsh, the first one of the year. A Water Pipit was seen foraging at the back of the Saline Lagoons during high tide. The Ruff continues to bee seen with the Black-tailed Godwit flock which are often feeding either on the Dafen Scrapes of Saline Lagoons. Pintail numbers have increased with a flock on 13 on the Dafen Scrapes. A pair of Rock Pipits have also been seen on the Dafen Scrapes, not a species that we normally see away from the saltmarsh. A good sized flock of 49 Redwing and a pair of Greenfinches were seen on the back of the Dafen Scrapes. A Fox was seen patrolling around the perimeter of the Dafen Scrapes, all the wildfowl kept a watchful eye as it did so.
Grounds
A pair of Stock Doves were seen flying over the Visitors Centre. Perhaps the most unexpected sighting of the week was a Bat which was seen flying around the Café Pond during the recent sunny weather.
Millennium Wetlands
A lovely Firecrest was seen near the Sir Peter Scott Hide, not a species that is seen all that often on site. The Otter family continue to show almost daily in front of the Herons Wing Hide, although, patience and a bit of luck are needed to be there at the right time. Mixed flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch and Lesser Redpolls can bee seen feeding in the Alders anywhere along the Northern Loop. Willow Tits continue to be seen, mainly around the Pond Walk area. The first flowering Lesser Celandine was seen near the water lab and Queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees have been seen around the reserve. Deep Water lake has been particularly busy during the past week; the five Spoonbills have been spending a lot of time feeding and sleeping around the edges; a Great Crested Grebe has been seen, fingers crossed it can find a mate; The Kingfishers continue to feed and check out any suitable nesting banks in the area.
The reserve team, along with the volunteer group, have been constructing a large Otter willow sculpture under close supervision from Mel Bastier. Its starting to take shape and can be found by the entrance to the Swans Nest Maze.
