6 Stonechat on the grazing marsh
6 Stonechat and Water Pipit sheltering from the wind in the SW corner of the grazing marsh this morning.
6 Stonechat - grazing marsh SW corner (3 male, 3 female)
1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh SW corner
8 Snipe - marsh (wildside hide)
2 Pintail - reservoir lagoon
2 Shelduck - main lake
1 Peregrine - perched on the hospital
1 Yellow-legged Gull - grazing marsh
1 Goldeneye - reservoir lagoon
257 Cormorant - main lake
The grazing marsh and scrape are best for watching wintering Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon. Listen for bird song across the reserve with Song Thrush, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and Cetti's Warbler being particularly vocal at the moment.
February bird highlights: Bittern(3), Goldeneye, Yellow-legged Gull, Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit(2), Stonechat, Siskin, Chiffchaff.
Reptiles: Common Lizard recorded 1st February.
Early flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Cowslip, Ragwort, Daisy, Winter Aconite, Snowdrop, Hazel, Primrose, Stinking Hellebore, Butcher's Broom, Gorse, Early Crocus, Meadow Buttercup, Wild Plum, Blackthorn, Sallow.
