Wildlife sightings for 15th September 2012
74 Shoveler - main lake, wader scrape
4 Snipe - main lake, wader scrape
6 Cetti's Warbler - wildside, reedbed, sheltered lagoon, south route, main lake
10+ Chiffchaff - wildisde, sheltered lagoon, south route
2 Willow Warbler - wildside
1 Peregrine - on hospital across river
Recent bird highlights: Garganey, Peregrine, Buzzard, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Stonechat, Whinchat, Crossbill, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher.
Autumn migration is well underway with a continued build-up of post-breeding migrants appearing on the reserve. Waders like Sandpipers and Godwits have been dropping in with a few roosting on the main lake. Look out for regular Green Sandpiper over the next few weeks out on the marsh or the scrape. The wader scrape has been cut back to open up feeding areas for these kinds of birds. Snipe numbers are increasing slowly. Wintering duck like Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal have been arriving from the eastern continent since the start of August. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff numbers remain high through September as these migrants move south through the country. Expect to see Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins, Pipits and the last few Swifts feeding and passing through now. Whinchat and Wheatear are being spotted regularly out on the marsh fields and banks. Look out for possible Black Terns over the main lake, especially on a day when there are a lot of flying ants in the air.
Flowering plants: Mallow, Betony, Marsh Woundwort, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Field Scabious, Devil’s Bit Scabious, Red Dead-nettle, Hop Trefoil, Tufted Vetch, Common Vetch, Yellow Flag, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Water Mint, St.John’s-wort, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife, Self Heal, Common Hawkweed, Common Knapweed, Yellow Bartsia, Wild Parsnip, Bastard Cabbage, Monkey-flower, Water Plantain, Meadowsweet, Red Clover, White Clover, Lady’s Bedstraw, White Campion, Ribbed Melilot, Black Meddick. Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Peacock, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Clouded Yellow (1), Speckled Wood, Small White, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter.
Reptiles: There are many Common Lizards to be found, particularly along the south route on any piece of woodwork or timber.
