Recent Sightings & Highlights 17.10.24 – 07.11.24 - Charlie's Blacktoft Blog - Blacktoft Sands

xDarrenx

7 Nov 2024

Recent Sightings & Highlights 17.10.24 – 07.11.24

(scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

Raptors

Marsh Harrier

Buzzard

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Barn Owl

Kestrel

Sparrowhawk

Water Fowl

Slavonian Grebe

Whooper Swan

Goldeneye

Tufted Duck

Shoveler

Gadwall

Teal

Wigeon

Mallard

Shelduck

Canada Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Greylag

Little Grebe

Moorhen

Mute Swan

Waders

Snipe

Curlew

Dunlin

Lapwing

Black-tailed Godwit

Water Rail

Ruff

Jack Snipe

Golden Plover (over Estuary)

Passerines

Kingfisher

Bearded Tit

Tree Sparrow

Skylark

Stonechat

Chaffinch

Fieldfare

Redwing

Starling

Reed Bunting

Wren

Gold Finch

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Cetti’s Warbler

Chiff Chaff

Song Thrush

Long-tailed Tit

Meadow Pipit

Water Pipit

Blackbird

Greater-spotted Woodpecker

Linnet

Pied Wagtail

Gulls & Water Birds

Cormorant

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Herons

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Others

Carrion Crow

Rook

Magpie

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Pheasant

Red-legged Partridge

Mammals

Konik Ponies

Stoat

Muntjac Deer

Roe Deer

Reserve News & Events

We’re into November and the early nights are with us. We’ve switched to our winter opening hours now which means that reception is closed during the week – it’s still open at weekends where you’ll be sure to find a warm reception and an even warmer log burn for those wintery days. Of course the reserve, car park, facilities and hides will all be open as usual.

The mild weather has continued including in northerly regions which has meant birds that migrate back to us have stayed there a little longer. They are beginning to get back to us – whooper swans have been around a little while but its been great to see fieldfare back with us over the last week or so (as of 07.11.24).

The star (and surprise) bird has been the Slavonian Grebe. It arrived Friday 1^st and was still around this morning Thursday 7^th. It is certainly feeding well on Singleton lagoon and has not been shy either.

It’s a busy time of year for the warden team. They’ve been busy coppicing and trimming trees and removing some of the less healthy ones too – safety is an absolute priority for us and where there’s a danger that trees (whatever their size) may harm people or property it’s the right thing to do.

It’s also the time when we carry essential habit work. So please be aware we will be closing Singleton Hide around 19^th/20^th/21^st November where we’ll be using a large floating reed cutter to open up areas of the lagoon. Not only does this refresh the habit for wildlife but it means we’ll get better views too!

Here's a few of our favourite recent pics!

Slavonian Grebe (Pic D.Johnson)

Bearded Tit (Pic M.Booth)

Whooper Swan (Pic D.Johnson)

Goldeneye (Pic D.Johnson)

Marsh Harrier (Pic D.Johnson)

Cetti’s Warbler (Pic D.Johnson)

Kingfisher (D.Johnson)

Long-tailed Tit (Pic D.Johnson)

Lapwing (Pic D.Johnson)

Buzzard (Pic D.Johnson)

Shoveler (Pic D.Johnson)

Goldfinch (Pic D.Johnson)

Wigeon (Pic D.Johnson)

Black-tailed Godwit (Pic D.Johnson)

3 x Goldeneye (Pic M.Booth)

Wren (Pic D.Johnson)

Fieldfare (Pic D.Johnson)

Reed Bunting (Pic D.Johnson)

Little Grebe (Pic D.Johnson)

Stonechat (Pic D.Johnson)

Stoat with prey (Pic D.Johnson)

Common Toad (Pic D.Johnson)

Konik Ponies (Pic D.Johnson)

Orange Peel fungus (Pic D.Johnson)

Hare’s Foot Ink Cap (Pic D.Johnson)

Fairy Ink Cap (Pic D.Johnson)

Up Coming Events

Sunrise Marsh Harrier Exclusive Early Access

Saturday 18^th January 7.30am – 10am

Get exclusive early access to the best views of amazing raptors as they rise from the reeds, at the heart of the Humber.

Pull on your winter togs and join us for an exhilarating experience watching harriers leave their overnight roost.

This VIP event is a must for photographers and new enthusiasts alike.

Our friendly and experienced guides will help you spot, identify and capture magnificent wildlife as it emerges from the reed bed, before taking you on a personal tour around the reserve.

Take in the amazing sunrise vista across the marsh, weather permitting of course!