Wildlife sightings for 24th November 2011
1 Long-eared Owl - flew over site from NW, then mobbed by Peregrine and flew off SE 4 Bearded Tit - on grazing marsh, even perched on fox fence 1 Bittern - main lake north side 1 Shelduck [...]
1 Long-eared Owl - flew over site from NW, then mobbed by Peregrine and flew off SE
4 Bearded Tit - on grazing marsh, even perched on fox fence
1 Bittern - main lake north side
1 Shelduck - main lake
1 Pintail - male
11 Water Rail
19 Common Snipe
1 Woodcock - flushed from north bank, flew N
1 Yellow-legged Gull - 1st-winter bird, main lake
2 Stonechat - marsh
6 Fieldfare - 1 entrance area, 5 flew SE
4 Redwing - 2 west bank, 2 flew SE
59 Robin - site count
7 Chiffchaff - site count
7 Cetti's Warbler - 6 singing, 1 calling
16 Lesser Redpoll - wildside
1 Mealy Redpoll - wildside
1 Siskin - flew N
Recent bird highlights: Smew, Bittern, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Dunlin, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, Short-eared Owl, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Mealy Redpoll.
Autumn migration continues with the chance of a range of spotting unusual waders, Warblers, Pipits and other passerines anywhere on the reserve.
Skylarks, Redwing, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipits and migrant Blackbird and Song Thrush are moving westwards on a daily basis. Some will drop into the hedges and scrub blocks which are laden with Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Rosehip fruit.
The grazing marsh is good for Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit and grazing Wigeon. Jack Snipe are currently preferring to feed along the right-hand side of the main marsh channel.
Look out for a real rarity like a Yellow-browed Warbler that tend to follow any mixed Tit flocks around.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch and Redpoll are feeding amongst the tall Alder and Birch trees.
Flocks of wintering duck have settled on the reserve with Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal all on the increase.
The first Bitterns (2) arrived mid-October and can be found on the main lake, sheltered lagoon reed fringes, or the main reedbed at present.
Bats: There are still small numbers of Soprano Pipistrelle being seen around dusk.
Butterflies: Red Admiral.
Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker.
Late flowering plants: Common Knapweed, Deptford Pink, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Ragwort,
