Wildlife sightings for 8th October 2012
2 Pintail - scrape
25 Wigeon - sheltered lagoon and main lake
2 Peregrine - perched on hospital
12 Siskin - flew low over south route, heading easterly
Additional sightings from yesterday:
1 Stonechat - female, reservoir lagoon
Recent bird highlights: Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Hobby, Peregrine, Buzzard, Buzzard, Gannet, Redwing, Stonechat, Whinchat, Crossbill, Mealy Redpoll, continental Coal Tit, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher.
Autumn migration is well underway with a continued 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. Snipe numbers are increasing slowly. Wintering duck like Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal have been arriving from the eastern continent since the start of August. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff numbers remain high through September as these migrants move south through the country. Expect to see Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins, Pipits and the last few Swifts feeding and passing through now. Whinchat and Wheatear are being spotted regularly out on the marsh fields and banks. The first Siskins of the autumn have already been recorded. Look out for possible Black Terns over the main lake, especially on a day when there are a lot of flying ants in the air.
Flowering plants: Mallow, Betony, 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, Yellow Bartsia, Monkey-flower, Water Plantain, Meadowsweet, Red Clover, White Clover, Lady’s Bedstraw, White Campion, Ribbed Melilot, Black Meddick.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Peacock, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Clouded Yellow (1), Speckled Wood, Small White, Common, Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter.
Reptiles: Many Common Lizards can still be found, particularly along the south route on any piece of woodwork or timber. Several Grass Snakes have been spotted in the wildside ponds.
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.
