Wildlife sightings for 12th March 2015
1 Wheatear - marsh
1 Garganey (male) - marsh
1 Common Tern - flew over wildside
2 Redshank - marsh
68 Cormorant - main lake
10 Snipe - marsh
1 Pheasant (female) - sheltered lagoon
February/March bird highlights: Shelduck, Garganey, Bittern, Peregrine, Pheasant, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Kingfisher, Stonechat, Brambling, Treecreeper, Wheatear.
Good numbers of wintering wildfowl can be observed at present, many of which have migrated from as far east as Siberia to get here. The flooded grazing marsh in particular is attracting plenty of Teal that move back and forth from the river in line with the daily tides. Gadwall, grazing Wigeon and Shoveler also favour this habitat at this time of year, feeding on lots of seed leftover from the summer growth. The marsh also holds Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Water Rail, Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler and occasional Water Pipit and Bearded Tit. The annual build-up of migrant Cormorants can again be seen on the ‘gull ridge’ of the main lake, a spectacle that lasts for a few weeks February/March. The wintering Bitterns (up to 4 birds recorded on some days) are best found along the shores of the main lake, with occasional sightings on the reservoir lagoon reed-fringed shore. Look out for more possible Brambling passing through and hopefully some bigger flocks of winter Thrushes as many wintering birds move gradually eastwards again. A pair of Kingfishers have been seen excavating holes in both artificial Kingfisher Banks, so there's hope that they may well nest successfully this year.
Reptiles: 2 Common Lizard resting on a bridge in Wildside (seen 1st March)
Butterflies: 1 Red Admiral (seen 1st March), 1 Brimstone (9th), 1 Small Tortoishell (9th)
