Wildlife sightings for 9th october 2012
18 Wigeon - sheltered lagoon and main lake
2 Pintail - resr lagoon
104 Shoveler
5 Snipe - main lake, marsh
20+ Redwing - over SW/W/NW or landing in wildside/resr lagoon
8 Song Thrush - migrants flying SW/W, also in wildside
9 Meadow Pipit - over SW/S
22 Siskin - over NW, also in wildside and south route
13 Redpoll - over W, also in wildside
1 Mealy Redpoll - wildside
24 Chiffchaff - wildside and sheltered lagoon
1 Chiffchaff abietinus - wildside
7 Linnet
76 Robin
4 Swallow
3 House Martin
9 Goldcrest
12 Cetti's Warbler
Recent bird highlights: Gannet, Peregrine, Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Stonechat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher.
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 and Firecrest amongst the shrubs and tree blocks.
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.
Numbers of Swallows and House Martins migrating south-west have been very high at the end of September and early October. Meadow Pipits can also be observed flying through with a number landing to feed on the grazing marsh. Look at for migrating Wheatear and Stonechat on the marsh. The first Siskins of the autumn have recently been recorded, along with a few Redpolls.
Flowering plants: Devil's Bit Scabious, Fleabane, Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife, Self Heal, Yellow Bartsia, Water Plantain, Meadowsweet.
Butterflies and insects: Red Admiral, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter.
Reptiles: There are many Common Lizards to 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.
