Recent Sightings - 5th February
The following sightings were recorded by Reserve Warden, Pete Matchett.
Black Headed Gull numbers have begun to rise implying that the breeding colony will return soon, for the last 2 years they have arrived on the 28th of February like clockwork with the first nests being built around the beginning of April.
The Peninsula Field has been rife with wading birds at high tide over the past few weeks with impressive numbers of Lapwing(1000), Curlew(200), Knot(200) and Oystercatcher(250). Black Tailed Godwit have also begun to return, with around 15-20 across the site in recent days. Unfortunately the topography of the field makes it extremely hard to monitor the whole thing so these numbers could be underestimates.
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard +200, Tufted duck 28, Coot 4, Black-headed gull 58, Grey heron 1, Cormorant 3, Little Egret 6, Gadwall 11, Shelduck 3, Oystercatcher 2.
Wadermarsh - visible from Brent Hide
Redshank 22, Greenshank 2, Black-headed gull 7, Oystercatcher 3, Lapwing 2, Curlew 1.
Freshwater lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannog
Coot 2, Tufted Duck 18.
Saline Lagoon - Visible from the Limekiln Observatory
Little Grebe 6, Little Egret 1, Greenshank 2.
Peninsula Marsh
Curlew 20, Little Egret 1, Knot 50, Lapwing 60, Oystercatcher 100.
Peninsula Field
Lapwing 1000, Oystercatcher 250, Curlew 200, Black Tailed Godwit 15, Knot 200
Limestone Lake
Mute swan 2.
