Bird News
A compilation of recent sightings after a busy bird fair weekend.
A Red Kite that drifted over the reserve on friday was new for the year, bringing our year list onto 158 species. The usual raptor present included 3 Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
At least 1300 Whooper Swan roosting on the reserve with around 6000 Pink-footed Geese coming into roost. Wildfowl numbers included 2000+ Teal, 1700+ Wigeon, 400+ Shelduck. A pair of Goldeneye are regularly being seen from the heated Raines Hide.
Woodcock was seen again at the weekend from the Janet Kear Hide, so was a Water Rail which was wandering on the icy edge. Close by Tawny Owl roosting and a male Siskin.
Good numbers of Lapwing 1000+, 50+ Ruff, A few Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Snipe. Two Golden Plover were also seen.
A highlight for me and my colleague Bernie was a female Bullfinch on the in focus shop feeder, a first for us on the Reserve. Regular observer Gordon Taylor also had a male close by, again new for his Martin Mere list.
