Ruffing it in Lochar Field

Walking with the wigeon, but definitely not a duck. Mingling amongst the red shank, but look closer...

Walking with the wigeon, but definitely not a duck. Mingling amongst the red shank, but look closer – the legs not half so bright, the front whiter, the back much more speckled; light and dark far more defined. There is a ruff. At the beginning of the week only one was seen, then two, and today we have just been to look and four ruffs were just chilling by the edge of the water; preening.

On Monday a rather much larger bird stole the show. We were up early for the grey goose count, standing in front of the Salcot Observatory when a barn owl drifted silently past. And then, at length, glided back and for a few seconds alighted on a fence post and looked us in the eye before setting back off on its way – leaving as silently as it came.

Others silently minding their own business (and rather hoping the barn owl doesn’t notice them) are the bank voles – and we saw plenty around toady. One apparently very happy to continue merrily on with its day, stuffing it’s face with leaf after leaf, as we watched on.

7 black headed gulls were on the flood ground and standing on our breeding platforms, hopefully they will start nest making! We do have at least one tree sparrow making use of the new nest boxes put up by the staff cottages, which is great.

And earlier this week hares were seen boxing at the start of the Avenue, just past the Peter Scott Observatory.

Unable to visit us in person or missing your daily fix of swans, waders, and badgers’ antics, then click on the link below to check out our webcam which is set on the Whooper pond during the day, and then set to view the badger feeding area from 5pm onwards.

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaveroc.

Tide Times:

Sat 02/04 14:02 9.6m

Sun 03/04 14:36 9.5m

Mon 04/04 15:08 9.2m

Tue 05/04 15:40 8.9m

Wed 06/04 16:14 8.4m

Thu 07/04 16:51 7.9m

Fri 08/04 17:38 7.3m

Sat 09/04 18:45 6.8m

Photo credit: Alex Hillier

As well as this week's highlights, you are likely to see the following on the reserve:

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