Wildlife sightings for 5th February 2013
1 Bittern - flew onto grazing marsh from main lake
1 Smew - in grazing marsh channel
1 Pintail - grazing marsh
17 Redwing - wildside, world wetlands
9 Siskin - wildside
3 Redpoll - wildside
Recent bird highlights: Smew, Bittern, Peregrine, Ruff, Woodcock, Waxwing, Skylark, Bearded Tit.
Since the start of January there have been varying numbers of Bitterns on the reserve, from a regular 2 birds up to a fantastic 6 recorded mid-month. Best spots to check are all the reed fringes of the main lake, the north reed fringe of the resr lagoon and the shores of the sheltered lagoon.
Small Wigeon flocks can be found grazing through the marsh fields or along the wader scrape bank where the grass sward has been kept nice and short by the cattle grazing in the autumn.
Waxwing have so far put in some very welcome appearances this winter, as they did across the whole country. Colder weather should also see an increase in duck numbers, as well more chances to find the scarcer Scaup, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser or Goosander. There is still a long-staying Smew to be found on the sheltered lagoon most days.
This winter there’s been more sightings of Bearded Tit than in any other year, suggesting that the same two birds have been in refuge all the time amongst the dense vegetation of the main reedbed and grazing marsh. The most likely spot is a rectangular field of Purple Loosestrife in the centre of the marsh, far to the left of the main ‘weir channel’. Keep listening out for the distinctive ‘pinging’ calls.
Small numbers of Redpoll and Siskin can be found daily, feeding on the Birch and Alder trees. Look out for other Finch species mixed in with these flocks, as well as Goldcrest or possible Firecrest. In January/early February there have been a number of Firecrest sightings in the London area so its worth taking time to look and listen out for them.
Very good numbers of Fieldfare are coming January/February with some birds roosting on the reserve and searching out the few berries left over from a poor fruiting year generally. Some days have seen in excess of 400 birds flying over. At times they can be observed on the playing fields in damp conditions, working through the worm population.
Flowering plants: Snowdrops, Crocus and very early Hawthorn leaves.
Water Voles: best place to see one would be one of the ponds near the Pond Zone building or ‘Down the Sewer’ exhibit.
