Singing Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting
2 pairs of Shelduck also on the main lake and wader scrape this morning.
8 Stonechat - grazing marsh
1 Bittern - reservoir lagoon North shore
3 Water pipit - grazing marsh
3 Common Snipe - main lake in front of main observatory, grazing marsh
4 Shelduck - wader scrape, main lake
4 Pintail - reservoir lagoon, main lake
1 Chiffchaff - (singing) sheltered lagoon
5 Reed Bunting - (including 3 singing males) sheltered lagoon, South route, wildside, 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, Buzzard, Water Rail, Curlew, 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 Daffodil, Wild Plum, Blackthorn, Sallow.
