Jam Packed
Slightly milder today, over 1000 Whooper Swan on the reserve with some new birds recently arrived with orange peat stained heads. Regular numbers of Pink-footed Geese coming in to feed on Top Mere. Big numbers of Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck around the reserve, plenty of Pintail present too but no Goldeneye so far.
The usual waders with 800+ Lapwing, 40+ Ruff, small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and a single Oystercatcher.
Along the Nature Trail on friday 7 Siskin. Treecreeper and Goldcrest in the mixed tit flocks. Plenty of Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow on site. Mistle Thrush singing in the overflow car park and occasional sightings of Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare.
A good raptor day with Merlin, 6+ Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Two Tawny Owl roosting in an Ivy covered tree near the Kingfisher Hide. Barn Owls hunting late afternoon most days.
Other birds included 50+ Skylark today and Kingfisher from the Ron Barker Hide. Some largish flocks of Wood Pigeon locally, also 20+ Stock Dove around the reserve. Two Little Egret occasionally from the Kingfisher Hide. Grey Wagtail inside the Waterfowl Gardens. Stonechats out along the fence post in Plover Field and beyond.
Two Foxes caused some commotion as they moved across the reserve late morning. Brown Hares seen recently.
