Wildlife sightings for 26th November 2012
Great White Egret- first seen on scrape, flew to main lake and moved around various islands. Currently on the grazing marsh. Flew off roughly SW at around 10:00 a.m. This was the second site record for this species. The first was 24th September 2009, where it was seen on the marsh and flew S down the Thames.
1 Shelduck - scrape
1 Pintail - scrape
Additional sightings from yesterday:
2 Peregrine - flew across main lake
1 Kingfisher - main lake
360 Black-headed Gull - reservoir lagoon, scrape, main lake
2 Stonechat - marsh
1 (+) Daubenton's Bat - seen + heard around the scrape
Recent bird highlights: Great White Egret, 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.
