Wildlife sightings for 19th February 2012
3 Shelduck - 2 flew over reservoir lagoon, 1 on main lake 6 Pintail - main lake 84 Cormorant - main lake 2 Bittern - 1 flew from S side main lake to reedbed channel nearest Wildside hide, [...]
3 Shelduck - 2 flew over reservoir lagoon, 1 on main lake
6 Pintail - main lake
84 Cormorant - main lake
2 Bittern - 1 flew from S side main lake to reedbed channel nearest Wildside hide, 1 N side main lake, opposite Dulverton hide
1 Jack Snipe - main lake island opposite Dulverton hide
7 Common Snipe - main lake and grazing marsh
500+ Black-headed Gull - main lake, reservoir lagoon, wader scrape
1 Kingfisher - flew from S side main lake to NW corner
Recent bird highlights: Goosander, Bittern, Peregrine, Red Kite, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Golden Plover, Ruff, Caspian Gull and Skylark.
The grazing marsh is currently in flood and attracting large numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Snipe, Pintail and Wigeon. Jack Snipe can also be found on the marsh, along with Stonechat and occasional Pipit species.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll are feeding amongst the Alder and Birch trees. Redwing and Fieldfare numbers have risen dramatically with most choosing to feed on the berry-laden Holly trees and Hawthorns near the entrance lake.
The first Bitterns arrived mid-October and now up to 3 can be found anywhere on the reed fringes of the main lake, sheltered lagoon, reservoir lagoon or main reedbed.
Look out for possible Scaup amongst the Tufted Duck flocks. The cold weather is displacing many species so that any irregular species could show up on the reserve.
Cetti’s Warbler are becoming more vocal at present with at least 7 birds to be found across the reserve. Skylark are flying through with the occasional bird landing on the marsh.
Flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Hazel catkins, Willow sp. (in leaf), Blackthorn, Hawthorn (in leaf).
