Recent Sightings (27th-29th Sep)
British Steel Hide
Without the big high tides of recent weeks, wader counts have dropped right down on the saline lagoons. 409 Black-tailed Godwits, 193 Redshank, 39 Greenshank, 13 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff and a Grey Plover were still counted from the hide despite low tides and an almost resident Peregrine sat around the scrapes! Unfortunately it seems as though the Red-necked Phalarope and the 2 Spoonbills have left us, as they haven't been reported now for some time.
Wildfowl from the hide have included: 5 Mute Swans, 36 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Ducks, 17 Gadwall, 11 Teal and 7 Canada Geese in amongst the Greylag flock. There have also been 200+ ducks on the estuary in recent days but they are a bit too far away to identify, although they are probably Wigeon. Other birds from around the hide have included Mistle Thrushes, Stonechats, Grey Wagtails, lots of Goldcrests, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and plenty of Long-tailed Tits.
The Freshwater Lagoon (Observatory)
Not a location that usually features on the recent sightings write ups, but it's done quite well on the wader front recently so its been upgraded! This is probably because a recent drop in water levels has exposed a lot of mud that the waders love. Up to 5 juvenile Ruff have been seen on the lagoon as well as 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Greenshank, 5 Knot and 10 Redshank. The lagoon also attracts alot of the reserves ducks including 41 Teal, 36 Tufted Ducks, 4 Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall and Wigeon.
The Millennium Wetlands
Waders on the deep water lake have included 38 Redshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin and 23 Lapwing. Wildfowl have included 16 Coot, 7 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebes, 11 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks and 9 Mute Swans. Kingfishers are regularly seen from the Peter Scott hide, as well as Buzzards, Grey Herons, Little Egrets and Sparrowhawks. Around the reserve there are plenty of common birds to be found, including some rather nice Bullfinches, Grey Wagtails and Reed Buntings.
Other Wildlife
Signs of Otters are regularly found by the reserves team. Spraints and tracks have been found near the Heron's Wing hide and on the western scrapes. Yesterday (28th) a member of the reserves team had a very brief glimpse of a Water Vole in the Lily Pond whilst out surveying. On sunnier days, Common Lizards and Slow Worms can be found basking in favoured spots around the reserve.
