Wildlife sightings for 31st October 2011
9 Water Rail - resr lagoon, wildside, waterlife and main lake 91 Gadwall - site count 1 Peregrine - main lake, hunting over high 2 Stonechat - marsh 2 Meadow Pipit - marsh 9 Redpol [...]
9 Water Rail - resr lagoon, wildside, waterlife and main lake
91 Gadwall - site count
1 Peregrine - main lake, hunting over high
2 Stonechat - marsh
2 Meadow Pipit - marsh
9 Redpoll - waterlife, sheltered lagoon, wildside, plus 1 flew SE
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Mediterranean Gull, Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, Bullfinch, Skylark and Stonechat.
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.
Late Wheatear might be found on the short, grazed grass banks on the marsh along with Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Rock and Water Pipit.
Look out for a real rarity like a Yellow-browed Warbler that tend to follow the Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit flocks around.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch and Redpoll are feeding amongst the tall Alder and Birch trees.
Jack Snipe has been spotted several times on the scrape or marsh on the edges of long vegetation.
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 and sheltered lagoon reed fringes at present.
Bats:The last bat survey of the year revealed good numbers of Soprano, Nathusius' and Common Pipistrelles, several Daubenton's Bats feeding on the wader scrape and a Leisler's Bat near the centre.
Reptiles: Common Lizards may be found by the Dulverton hide, BogGarden, sustainable log garden and any convenient log piles particularly on warm, sunny days.
Butterflies: Red Admiral.
Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker.
