Record number of Water Pipit spotted during the storm
6 Water Pipit spotted on the marsh , plus 200+ Cormorant and 3 Bittern
3 Bittern - reservoir lagoon(2), main lake SE corner(1)
2 Shelduck - main lake, scrape
6 Pintail - main lake, marsh, reservoir lagoon
6 Water Pipit - marsh
10 Snipe - marsh
228 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, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit(2), 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.
Insects: (January) Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Red Admiral, Non-biting Midge species.
