Wildlife sightings for 6th January 2012
1 Bittern - main lake S shore, to the right of the Dulverton Hide 1 Jack Snipe - main lake 2 Pintail - marsh 1 Shelduck - main lake 1 Pheasant - sheltered lagoon 5 Fieldfare - arou [...]
1 Bittern - main lake S shore, to the right of the Dulverton Hide
1 Jack Snipe - main lake
2 Pintail - marsh
1 Shelduck - main lake
1 Pheasant - sheltered lagoon
5 Fieldfare - around wildside gates
7 Redwing - entrance area and shetered lagoon (p.m.)
1 Bullfinch - wildside
15 Lesser Redpoll - wildside
1 Chiffchaff - wildside
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Pheasant, Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Stonechat, Bullfinch.
The grazing marsh is currently in flood and attracting large numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Snipe, Pintail and Wigeon. Jack Snipe can also be found on the marsh, along with Stonechat and occasional Pipit species.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll are feeding amongst the Alder and Birch trees.
Check through any Tit flocks for possible Goldcrest and Firecrest at this time of year. Over-wintering Chiffchaff will often feed with these flocks as well. There are at least 5 Cetti’s Warbler on the reserve.
The first Bitterns (2) arrived mid-October and can be found anywhere on the reed fringes of the main lake, sheltered lagoon, reservoir lagoon or main reedbed.
Fungi: Nitrous Bonnet (WW), Saffron Milkcap (WW), Candlesnuff Fungus (SL), Girdled Knight (SL), Silver-leaf Fungus (SL), Meadow Coral (EL), Clustered Bonnet (WD), Oak Mazegill (WD), Deceiver (WD), Ochre Aldercap (WD), Snowy Waxcap (EL), Leaf Parachute (SL).
Flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Hazel catkins, Blackthorn.
