Wildlife sightings for 18th November 2012
3 Pintail - marsh and reservoir lagoon
42 Wigeon - site count
1 Mandarin - world wetlands
1 Peregrine - perched halfway up large red crane in Hammersmith
1 Firecrest - reported by visitor, 100 yards from explore toilets towards sheltered lagoon
2 Stonechat - pair on marsh
Recent bird highlights: Goldeneye, Bittern, Little Egret, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Oystercatcher, Caspian Gull, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Waxwing, Stonechat, Firecrest, Bearded Tit, Brambling, Mealy Redpoll, Crossbill.
More wintering birds are arriving with increasing numbers of wildfowl being the main event. There’s still a good chance of finding a rarity particularly amongst the passerines; Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest are a good bet early November. Check through any mixed Tit flocks for late or over-wintering Chiffchaff and other possible Warbler species.
Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal are making good use of the higher water levels on the grazing marsh, as well as feeding amongst the seed-rich waters of the cut wader scrape.
The first couple of Jack Snipe have arrived for the winter, their distinctive bobbing up and down and a smaller bill distinguishing them from the larger and more numerous Common Snipe.
Skylarks, Finches and Thrushes can all be observed flying through with some settling on the reserve to rest up or feed. Siskins and Redpolls numbers have been good through October and early November with occasional Mealy Redpoll also around. Look out for Water Pipit and Rock Pipit on the flooded edges of the marsh and scrape.
The first wintering Bittern arrived October 21st and so far appears to be favouring the main lake reed fringes or the main reedbed. There’s possibly more than one bird present at the moment.
