Wildlife sightings for 3rd September 2012
1 Wigeon - resr lagoon
2 Green Sandpiper - scrape, main lake
9 Snipe - main lake, marsh, scrape
1 Black-tailed Godwit - flew over reedbed from the N on to the main lake
2 Common Sandpiper - main lake
17 Swallow - flew W, some feeding en route
6 Meadow Pipit - 2 on the marsh, others flew SW
Recent bird highlights: Garganey, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Buzzard, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Crossbill, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Stonechat.
Autumn migration has started with a build-up of post-breeding migrants appearing on the reserve.
Waders like Sandpipers and Godwits have been dropping in with a few roosting on the main lake. Look out for regular Green Sandpiper over the next few weeks out on the marsh or the scrape. The wader scrape has been cut back to open up feeding areas for these kinds of birds. Wintering duck numbers have increased since August with many Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall arriving from the eastern continent.
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff have increased since the start of the month as migrants start to move south through the country. Expect to see Swallows feeding and passing through now. The Common Tern chicks have all fledged with a few adults and juveniles still drifting back to the main lake occasionally to feed. Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall and Little Grebe broods can all be found throughout the reserve.
Look out for possible Black Terns over the main lake, August is always a good month for these birds.
Flowering plants: Mallow, Betony, Marsh Woundwort, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Field Scabious, Devil's Bit Scabious, Red Dead-nettle, Hop Trefoil, Kidney Vetch, Tufted Vetch, Common Vetch, Grass Vetchling, Meadow Vetchling, Great Burnet, Herb Robert, Yellow Flag, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Water Mint, Pyramidal Orchid, St.John's-wort, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife, Self Heal, Common Hawkweed, Common Knapweed, Yellow Bartsia, Wild Parsnip, Bastard Cabbage, Monkey-flower, Water Plantain, Meadowsweet, Red Clover, White Clover, Lady’s Bedstraw, White Campion, Ribbed Melilot, Black Meddick.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small White, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter.
Reptiles: Common Lizards very active along the South Route, often scurrying across the paths.
