Starling Murmuration
A glorious late autumn day with the reserve playing host to thousands of birds with 60-70 species of wild bird represented.
The current 'don't miss' is the Starling 'murmuration' which can be viewed from the Harrier Hide or Reedbed Walk from ~ 4pm until ~4:45pm with at least 15000 birds swirling over the reeds before diving in. Last night 3 Marsh Harrier came by as well as Sparrowhawk. There is a good chance to see Barn Owl here after 5pm.
Still plenty of Pink-footed Geese around with a sizable numbers coming into roost and although there have been no recent counts certainly 10000+ have been coming in.
One hundred and eighty Whooper Swan today indicating some new arrivals.
Good for raptors with 4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Peregrine, 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and yesterday a female Merlin.
The usual waders with 40+ Ruff, 500+ Lapwing, 10+ Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit.
Two Redwing over the in focus shop this morning are the first of the autumn here, or at least the first reported.
Goldcrests active with tit flocks along the Nature Trail.
It's just under a month to the North West Birdwatching Festival which is free to members as usual. Here is a video! (you have to click on the word below)
