After the sun
After yesterdays far too bright and sunny day, it was good to see some rain (and wind) falling on the reserve again...
It's very 'birdy' at the moment with Pink-footed Geese numbers building up again with excellent views around the edge of the Mere throughout the day. The Mere is currently the hot spot, with water levels still higher than usual, providing some rich feeding areas for 1000+ Teal, hundreds of Pintail, ten's of Gadwall and Shoveler. In fact there is at least 15 species of wildfowl currently out on the reserve.
The male Scaup (moulting) was seen again around Top Mere. Quiet on the wader front with just Lapwing and Common Snipe reported.
A good raptor day with Merlin, Peregrine (ad male & female), Common Buzzards, 3 Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
A 2nd winter Med Gull flew onto the reserve around midday. Skylarks (30+) were moving south over the reserve this morning.
