Recent Sightings 28th Feb 2022
There’s been some great sightings this week so far, with the numbers below from Monday’s bird count at high tide. The Kingfisher was spotted on its usual perch overlooking the main lake, easily seen from the collection area and the Brent hide. It’s always a joy to see this bright little bird between the backdrop of trees and the stillness of the main lake. There has also been a Black-tailed godwit making its way between the main lake, shingle bank and wadermarsh recently, often seen busily burying its long bill into the soft ground in search for food. At this time of year, these birds are a greyish brown colour, but as the summer creeps in, their plumage will turn to a bright orangey-brown on the neck and underbelly.
Moving further into the reserve to the freshwater lagoon, Greylag geese have been seen multiple times in the morning either on the islands of the lagoon or on the shingle bank next to the main lake. These impressive birds are the UK’s largest species of goose! They are mainly grazers and are quite similar in appearance to the White-fronted geese found in the collection area, with the main difference being that Graylag do not have a distinctive white mark above their bill like our collection birds.
From the Limekiln Observatory and the Peninsular field lookout, the small, stripey form of a Snipe was spotted by our placement student on Monday. These little birds are usually found on wet grassland and marshes, probing for invertebrates with its long, sensitive beak, so it was a surprise to see one on the edge of the pier! During the breeding season, the male can be heard “drumming” as its tail feathers vibrate in the wind. They are a similar looking bird to the Woodcock, but the easiest way to distinguish between the two is that Snipe are found in wetland areas unlike the, appropriately named, woodland-dwelling Woodcock.
And finally, spotted on the Peninsular field from the lookout – a Meadow pipit. A beautiful little brown passerine which favours open grasslands and moorland, has a high-pitched call, and is a perfect little bird to welcome us into spring.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Herring gull 1, Oystercatcher 212, Redshank 1, Light-bellied brent goose 148, Black-headed gull 37, Shelduck 12, Moorhen 1. Eider duck 75, Common gull 1, Dunlin 22, Turnstone 11, Snipe 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 50, Tufted duck 4, Teal 18, Coot 1, Little grebe 2, Black-headed gull 2, Black-tailed godwit 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey wagtail 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 30, Oystercatcher 65, Black-tailed godwit 2, Black-headed gull 12
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 4, Teal 47, Gadwall 6, Redshank 6, Greenshank 2, Jackdaw 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 5, Mallard 3, Teal 4, Greylag goose 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Teal 1, Greenshank 1, Black-headed gull 1
Brickworks
Limestone Lake
Mallard 7, Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Redshank 1, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 1, Greenshank 1, Meadow pipit 1
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Siskin, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Goldfinch
