Wildlife sightings for 5th November 2018
1 Bittern - main lake
2 Water Pipit - grazing marsh
1 Peregrine - perched on the hospital
4 Skylark - flew over heading W
10 Snipe - grazing marsh, wader scrape
1 Grey Wagtail - main lake
October/early November bird highlights: Short-eared Owl, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Merlin, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Little Egret, Whinchat, Stonechat, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Brambling, Spotted Flycatcher, Water Pipit.
Colder weather in early October saw 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. The marsh and wader scrape were flooded up at the start of November, instantly attracting lots of dabbling duck, as well as up to 4 Jack Snipe and 2 Water Pipit.
Dragonflies: (October) Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter.
Butterflies: (October) Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Comma.
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.
