Recent Sightings (4th- 6th Oct)
British Steel Hide
A few highlights from the hide from the past few days have included two Curlew Sandpipers, a Turnstone, two Grey Plovers, two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank and the return of the Black-tailed Godwits, with the highest count being 950. Other waders counts have included up to 202 Curlew, 70 Knot, 15 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, 155 Redshank and 36 Greenshank.
Wildfowl from the hide have included 22 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, a Pintail, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Teal, 3 Tufted Ducks and 4 Wigeon.
Other birds have included a Kingfisher, up to 29 Little Egrets, a Skylark, a Sparrowhawk and a Peregrine.
Millennium Wetlands
Wildfowl on the Deep Water Lake have included 5 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 17 Tufted Ducks, 20 Gadwall, a Little Grebe, 10 Coot, 5 Moorhens, 6 Teal and 10 Mute Swans. Two Common Snipe were briefly seen flying away from the stony island in front of the Peter Scott hide on the 4th, it shouldn't be long until they start using the island as a regular feeding spot. Up to 22 Lapwing have been using the island regularly as well. Other birds have included a Stonechat, Grey Wagtails, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings, lots of calling Water Rails and plenty of finches taking advantage of all the seeds that are around at this time of year.
Other Wildlife
A late blooming Ivy in between the Heron's Wing and Peter Scott hides has created a hotspot for butterflies in the last couple of days with lots of Commas and Red Admirals using the flowers as a food source. Still a few dragonflies clinging on around the reserve, most of which seem to be Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers. A Water Vole was seen by a member of the reserves team on an island on the Deep Water Lake. 3 Slow Worms have been found basking under metal sheets during recent days as well.
Livestock
After enjoying their summer on the main island of the Deep Water lake, the Shetland Sheep have sadly had to leave us now until next year. They've done a fantastic job of grazing the island and have put on a lot of weight since arriving with us in April. Hopefully we will have a much larger flock returning to us next year!
