Wildlife sightings for 5th September 2012
70 Gadwall - site count a.m.
63 Shoveler - mostly main lake
1 Common Sandpiper - main lake
1 Green Sandpiper - scrape
5 Snipe - main lake
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 continues 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, Marsh Woundwort, Hemlock Water-dropwort, Field Scabious, Devil's Bit Scabious, Red Dead-nettle, Tufted Vetch, Common Vetch, Yellow Flag, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Water Mint, 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, Ribbed Melilot, Black Meddick.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small White, Large White, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter.
