Wildlife sightings for 31st October 2018
2 Bittern - main lake North shore, best viewed from Headley Hide
1 Jack Snipe - grazing marsh
12 Snipe - grazing marsh, main lake
2 Water Rail - main reedbed
1 Peregrine - perched on the hospital
1 Kestrel - wildside
12 Fieldfare - over South
October bird highlights: Short-eared Owl, Shelduck, Bittern, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Merlin, Peregrine, Buzzard, Little Egret, Whinchat, Stonechat, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Brambling, Spotted Flycatcher.
Colder weather in early October has seen the arrival of the first winter passerines like Brambling, Redwing, Stonechat and Siskin. Jack Snipe have arrived, having been spotted on the wetter grazing marsh fields and main lake Sedge islands. Other migrants on the move include Meadow Pipit, Whinchat, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank.
Dragonflies: (October) Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter.
Butterflies: (October) Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Comma.
Moths: (end September) Angle Shades, Beautiful Plume, Box Moth, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Large Wainscot, Rush Veneer, Rosy Rustic, Small Dusty Wave, Vestal, Copper Underwing.
Fungi: (October) Yellow Brain, Candlesnuff, Glistening Inkcap, Grey Puffball, Turkeytail, Bearded Milkcap, Perenniporia meridionalis, Theleophora penicillata, Wood Blewit, Blackening Waxcap, Brown Rollrim, Chlorophyllum brunneum, Smoky Bracket, Poisonpie, Redlead Roundhead, Frosty Webcap.
