Wildlife sightings for 1st October 2018
19 Wigeon - main lake
1 Shelduck - main lake
10 Snipe - main lake, grazing marsh
3 Meadow Pipit - flew over heading S
5 Chiffchaff - South route, Wildside
2 Peregrine - perched on the hospital
1 Grey Wagtail - Otter enclosure
September bird highlights: Brambling, Shelduck, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher, Redshank, Snipe, Garganey, Peregrine, Buzzard, Red Kite, Hobby, Little Egret, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear.
Wintering duck arriving throughout September. Shoveler numbers >100 at the start of the month, plus 70+ Gadwall, 45+ Teal and the first few Wigeon. There are still a few Sand Martins around plus many more Swallow and House Martins passing through. The hedgerows and scrubby blocks are full of migrant Chiffchaff and other warbler species. The marsh is good for migrant Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear. Autumn waders feeding on the main lake and scrape include regular Common Sandpiper and Snipe, plus occasional Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Redshank. Other likely waders this month include Greenshank, Ruff, Dunlin and Whimbrel. Keep an eye on the cut patches of reed and sedge for possible Water Rail or even a Spotted Crake!
Dragonflies: (September) Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Ruddy Darter, Willow Emerald Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly.
Butterflies: (September) Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Clouded Yellow.
Moths: (31st Aug) Maiden’s Blush, Pebble Hook-tip, Centre-barred Sallow, Red Underwing, The Sallow.
Reptiles: young Grass Snakes and Slow Worms found 25th August; young and adult Common Lizards in the long grass by wooden benches and bridges, particularly in the wildside.
Fungi: (Aug/Sept) Chicken of the Woods, Snowy Inkcap, Giant Puffball, Horse Mushroom, Split Fibrecap, Brown Birch Bolete, Field Mushroom, Bleached Brittlegill, Shaggy Parasol, Turkeytail, Fairy Inkcap, Fluted Bird’s-nest.
