Wildlife sightings for 18th January 2014
1 Red Kite - circling to the W of the Entrance area 1545hrs
1 Jack Snipe - grazing marsh
2 Pintail - a pair on the reservoir lagoon
54 Lapwing - main lake
1 Bullfinch - calling from near the Otter exhibit in World Wetlands
18 Redwing - sheltered lagoon
1 Peregrine - perched on crane to the North of the reserve
17th: 1 Bittern - seen p.m. perched up in reeds on main lake, then flew across to the S shore (watched from the Headley Hide)
Late December/early January bird highlights: Goosander, Brent Goose, Bittern, Peregrine, Glossy Ibis, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Brambling, Rock Pipit, Bearded Tit.
1-2 Bitterns have been spotted mostly on the north and south shores of the main lake, with movements into the main reedbed at dusk for roosting. But try looking at all the reed fringes on all water-bodies for these often elusive birds.
Redwings, Fieldfare, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches and Song Thrushes are all on the move, visible from any part of the reserve where there’s a good view of the open sky. Crossbills, Pipit sp. and Bunting sp. are all possible migrants if you’re lucky. Redwing and Fieldfare numbers have risen sharply at the end of December with good flocks feeding on any berries they can find.
Look out for some unusual winter ducks this month – Scaup, Goldeneye or Smew are real possibilities if the temperatures drop. Up to 4 Jack Snipe were recorded early January, taking advantage of the flooded grazing marsh along with 12 Common Snipe. Teal numbers will increase throughout the rest of winter, their favoured feeding grounds being the exposed mud on the wader scrape and the grazing marsh, particularly during high tide when large numbers leave the river to visit the reserve instead.
A Bearded Tit has re-appeared in or around the main reedbeds, its distinctive pinging call having been heard a few times.
