Wildlife sightings for 14th February 2013
2 Bittern - main lake N + S shores
2 Peregrine - both hunting to the N of the site
1 Smew - sheltered lagoon a.m.
9 Mandarin - (fully-winged birds) reservoir lagoon and world wetlands
76 Cormorant - main lake
11 Redpoll - flew NW + 2 in wildside
33 Fieldfare - flew W
Recent bird highlights: Smew, Bittern, Peregrine, Dunlin, Woodcock, Waxwing, Skylark, Bearded Tit.
At least 2 Bitterns can be found at present (with 6 recorded earlier in the month), showing up anywhere in the reed fringes of the main lake, sheltered lagoon or reservoir lagoon. Rather more unusual have been a few sightings out on the marsh where there's some good channels of Sedge and Loosestrife for the Bittern to hunt along.
Small Wigeon flocks can be found grazing through the marsh fields or along the wader scrape bank where the grass sward has been kept nice and short by the cattle grazing in the autumn. There is still a long-staying Smew on the reserve, mostly on the sheltered lagoon or marsh.
Occasional sightings of Bearded Tit on the marsh continue into February. Keep listening out for the distinctive ‘pinging’ calls. They favour the dense stands of old, tall Purple Loosestrife to hide and feed in
Very good numbers of Fieldfare continue since January with some birds roosting on the reserve and searching out the few berries left over from a poor fruiting year generally. Some days have seen in excess of 400 birds flying over.
The first pairs of Mute Swan have started to display to each other, and most of the Canada Geese are paired up and becoming very vocal in their own territorial displays. Lapwing are already showing signs of splitting into pairs and holding territory. Listen out for the early spring chorus of Song Thrush, Great Tit, Wren and Robin as things slowly start to warm up.
Flowering plants: Snowdrops, Crocus and very early Hawthorn leaves.
Water Voles: best place to see one would be one of the ponds near the Pond Zone building or ‘Down the Sewer’ exhibit.
