Wildlife sightings for 24th November 2012
1 Shelduck - main lake
5 Pintail - wader scrape, grazing marsh
130 Teal - site count
53 Wigeon - sheltered lagoon, wader scrape
12 Siskin - entrance lake
2 Chiffchaff - wildside, beside Peacock tower
Recent bird highlights: Goldeneye, Bittern, Little Egret, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Oystercatcher, Caspian Gull, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Rock 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 during November. Check through any mixed Tit flocks for late or over-wintering Chiffchaff and other possible Warbler species.
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 that are well hidden across the grazing marsh.
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 further 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.
