Wildlife sightings for 28th October 2012
2 Pintail – males, reservoir lagoon
45 Wigeon – marsh and sheltered lagoon
1 Little Egret – main lake
3,160 Woodpigeon – flew SW/NE
8 Skylark – flew NW
1 Swallow – flew S
1,060 Fieldfare – flew NW
170 Redwing – flew W
1 Rook – flew SE
1,550 Starling – flew W
510 Chaffinch – flew NW
15 Brambling – flew W
66 Goldfinch – entrance area
10 Siskin – flew N
50 Linnet – flew S
55 Lesser Redpoll – site count
1 Mealy Redpoll – flew S
2 Crossbill – flew NW
8 Reed Bunting – flew W / grazing marsh
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Buzzard, Green Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Short-eared Owl, Wood Lark, Rock Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Stonechat, Brambling, Mealy Redpoll, Crossbill, Snow Bunting.
Autumn migration continues with the last of the summer breeding birds leaving southwards and the fresh arrival of wintering birds to the country. Its also one of the best times of year to find a rarity, particularly Warbler species and wading birds. Look out for more Scandinavian Chiffchaff amongst the shrubs and tree blocks, and maybe even a Yellow-browed Warbler or Firecrest.
The wader scrape has been cut back to open up feeding areas for passage waders like Green Sandpiper and Snipe. Wintering duck like Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal have been arriving from the eastern continent since the start of August. Teal numbers are higher here during high tide on the river, as the birds need the reserve for available feeding and loafing areas. The first Jack Snipe of the autumn has arrived.
There were high of House Martins migrating south at the start of October, along with the last few Swallows. As the month progresses Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Chaffinch and Thrush migrants can all be observed in numbers flying through with some settling on the reserve to rest up or feed. Siskins and Redpolls are arriving daily from the east, many stopping in the Birch and Alder trees to feed on the catkins. Many Chiffchaff are also stopping in on their journey southwards, with a small number no doubt intending to over-winter here.
The first wintering Bittern arrived October 21st and spent the day moving around the whole reserve, even perching in a tree on the sheltered lagoon at one point.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Migrant Hawker, a few Damselfly species still.
Mammals: A recent Water Vole study has found several pregnant females as well as some very old male Voles surviving in wildside and the main reedbed. Best place to find a Water Vole is probably the south route at present.
