20.03.24 Recent Sightings Highlights

20 Mar 2024

20.03.24 Recent Sightings Highlights

(scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

We are open again after recent tidal flooding but please be aware that wellington boots are essential to access Reedling and Marshland hides.

Raptors

Marsh Harrier

Buzzard

Sparrowhawk

Kestrel

Red Kite

Barn Owl

Waders

Avocet

Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Curlew

Lapwing

Snipe

Dunlin

Oyster Catcher

Golden Plover (over river Trent)

Water Rail

Passerines

Kingfisher

Bearded Tit

Tree Sparrow

Meadow Pipit

Skylark

Chiff Chaff

Cetti’s Warbler

Song Thrush

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Robin

Blackbird

Wren

Great Tit

Reed Bunting

House Sparrow

Pied Wagtail

Starling

Dunnock

Water Fowl

Goldeneye

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Teal

Wigeon

Canada Goose

Greylag Goose

Gadwall

Shelduck

Mallard

Shoveler

Mute Swan

Whooper Swan (Flying north along river)

Pink-footed Goose

Little Grebe

Coot

Moorhen

Hirundines

Sand Martin

Gulls and Waterbirds

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Greater Black-backed Gull

Cormorant

Herons

Bittern (seen and booming)

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Others

Carrion Crow

Stock Dove

Jackdaw

Wood Pigeon

Pheasant

Magpie

Collared Dove

Mammals

Konik Ponies

Water Vole

Weasel

Roe Deer

Grey Squirrel

Reserve News & Events

So this was the scene at reception crossroads on the main trail about a week ago (12.03.24).

Reception Trail (12.03.24) (Pic P.Short)

It was a tad wet, resulting in us having to close the gates for around a week. Some of the highest tides of the year so far brought around 375 million litres of water (according to our rough calculations) onto the reserve.

With rising sea levels and unprecedented levels of rain so far this year it’s likely these flooding events will continue into the future. The reserve sits on a natural flood plain so whilst these events are not great for visitors it does help protect our surrounding communities and agricultural land from feeling the effects of floods to an extent (as well as other areas around the upper estuary. And of course it helps to replenish food stocks in the lagoon – providing a food bonanza for species like Bitterns.

As soon as water levels allowed our warden team again sprang into action repairing pathways and making sure it was safe to re-open, which we did yesterday (19.03.24). If you’re planning a visit in the coming days please be aware that trail to Reedling and Marshland hides remain under water and wellington boots are essential to access them.

We’ve added additional feeding stations. Our tree sparrow population is not only precious to us but their declines in recent times mean they are precious nationally. Our tree sparrow population is possibly one of the oldest in the UK and we’re helping them to thrive. And it makes them easier to spot – if you don’t see them on the feeders check the nest boxes around the picnic area, they’re busy scoping out nesting sites too!

Spring appears to have well and truly got underway with earnest. Whilst today is a little grey yesterday saw glorious sunshine (fingers crossed for some more). It’s possibly my favourite time of the year – the trees are beginning to bloom, bumble bees are buzzing around and butterflies are fluttering. Perhaps the best thing from my perspective is that some of our summer visitors are arriving back and it’s easier to spot them among the trees e.g. chiffchaff. We’ve even had our first sand martins arriving!

Marsh harriers are pairing (showing superbly) and there’s sightings of mating activity but best of all bitterns are booming with several sightings of them in flight as they move around.