Winter, Spring and Aurora
Many signs of spring with catkins out and Lapwing on territories, however there is still a winter feel and spectacle to the bird life around the reserve. Had a search for the Common Sandpiper that [...]
Many signs of spring with catkins out and Lapwing on territories, however there is still a winter feel and spectacle to the bird life around the reserve.
Had a search for the Common Sandpiper that's been seen over the past few days just to make sure that it wasn't a winter plumaged Spotted Sandpiper... unfortunately no sign. They are very, very similar although probability would always point to the commoner Common Sandpiper even though the date is unusually early. Do keep your eyes peeled!
Good numbers of Teal and Wigeon still present thou no counts.
Similar wader counts as of late with 72 Avocet, 38 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin etc.
Three 1st year Marsh Harrier in the air together this morning, many Common Buzzards displaying distantly, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
At least 60 Fieldfare feeding in stubble opposite the reserve entrance this morning. Many Skylark in song across the reserve.
For those with a general love of natural history, I'm sure that's most of you, here's a link to Lancaster University's Aurora Watch website.
http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/
You can sign up, and they will alert you to possible aurora activity in the UK.
AB
