Recent Sightings 3rd - 8th September
Highlights: Osprey, Cattle Egrets, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank
Keen eyes spot an Osprey.
On Sunday an Osprey was spotted flying over the grounds. Around this time, Osprey will be beginning their migration journey to West Africa.
British Steel Hide
Cattle Egrets made a regular appearance this week on the Dafen scrapes. Seven Cattle Egrets were seen on Tuesday on the Dafen Scrapes surrounding the cows. This could potentially be the most seen at one time at this location for quite a while! They were observed to be eating ticks from the grazing cattle, as well as picking at the insects disturbed by the cattle as they graze.
Also from the British Steel Hide, on Friday, two Spotted Redshank were spotted amongst masses of Black-tailed Godwits on the saline lagoon. This week there have also been sightings of Ruff, Curlew and Spoonbill on the saline lagoon.
A Wood Sandpiper was spotted on the freshwater lagoon on Monday.
Millennium Wetlands
On Wednesday, an adult female Kingfisher was spotted with two juveniles on the deep water lake. Sightings of Kingfishers continued throughout the week from the Sir Peter Scott hide and the Heron Wing hide.
Water rail are often heard from the area surrounding the deep water lake, with a call sometimes compared to that of a squealing piglet. They are often heard but not always seen, however on Thursday, an adult and a juvenile were spotted on the edges of the Deep Water Lake amongst the vegetation.
Cetti's Warbler have been heard throughout the Millennium Wetlands.
Moth traps this week caught an abundance of species, featured caught species include: Brown China-mark, Common Wainscot, Copper Underwing, Green Carpet, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Light Emerald, Rosy Rustic, Small Square-spot, Straw Dot, and Willow Beauty.
