Sightings Highlights
A bright day but a change in temperature as the Northerly airflow bring cool air over the UK. Interesting to note today good numbers of Swift feeding over the reserve in the afternoon.
Still 2 Knot present now for their 6th day(!) moulting into breeding plumage. Other waders included Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff (many in near breeding plumage), 30+ Avocet, 20+ Lapwing, 10+ Redshank and Oystercatchers.
The Reed Bed Walk is great for warblers at the moment with singing Sedge, Reed, Grasshopper and Willow Warblers as well as Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Raptors included 2 Marsh Harrier, 4+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. The first Hobbies can't be too far off?
Other sighting included a 1cy Mediterranean Gull on the Mere, a flock of 4 Grey Heron (unwelcome for breeding birds), Little Egret, Corn Bunting at various locations on the edge of the reserve and a pair of Bullfinch by the Sewage Works.
Easily 70+ species in a full days birding.
