Recent Sightings 5th -11th March
Highlights - Bar-tailed Godwit, Otter family, Marsh Harrier, Frogs spawn and Long-tailed Duck
British Steel Hide
The recent high tides forced hundreds of waders to roost on the Saline Lagoons and Dafen Scrapes. Some of the more notable species included, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, and Ruff. However, it was also great to see hundreds of Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin and Redshank. Spoonbills continue to be seen but numbers have now dropped to three rather than the usual five birds. The Long-tailed Duck continues to favor the closest lagoon on the Dafen Scrapes.
Millennium Wetlands
The Otter family continue to be seen most days in front of the Herons Wing Hide. A Marsh Harrier has been seen sporadically throughout the week, often best spotted by flowing the the birds that shoot up to mob it! Possibly the most exciting discovery of the week was several clumps of Frogs Spawn in a pond near the start of the the Northern Loop. This is a surprisingly uncommon sight on the reserve with some years going without any being discovered. The Willow Tits continue to be seen around the Northern Loop, in particular around around the Pond Walk area. Mixed flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll can be seen feeding on the Alders around the reserve in particular around Black Poplar Wood. With Spring slowly getting underway, the reserve team got started with the breeding bird surveys, fingers crossed all the birds have a successful and productive breeding season!
