Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.12.24 – 09.01.25 - Charlie's Blacktoft Blog - Blacktoft Sands

xDarrenx

9 Jan 2025

Recent Sightings & Highlights 21.12.24 – 09.01.25

(scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

Raptors

Peregrine Falcon

Marsh Harrier

Buzzard

Barn Owl

Merlin

Sparrowhawk

Kestrel

Water Fowl

Wigeon

Teal

Tufted Duck

Pintail

Shoveler

Mallard

Gadwall

Shelduck

Whooper Swan

Mute Swan

Greylag

Pink-footed Goose

Moorhen

Little Grebe

Waders

Curlew

Snipe

Dunlin

Golden Plover (over estuary)

Water Rail

Lapwing

Passerines

Bearded Tit

Kingfisher

Tree Sparrow

Stonechat

Reed Bunting

Fieldfare

Redwing

Starlings

Blackbird

Pied Wagtail

Great Tit

Meadow Pipit

Bullfinch (28.12.24)

Song Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Cetti’s Warbler

Chaffinch

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Blue Tit

Dunnock

Wren

Goldfinch

Gulls & Water Birds

Black-headed Gull

Cormorant

Herring Gull

Herons

Grey Heron

Others

Carrion Crow

Rook

Magpie

Pheasant

Wood Pigeon

Stock Dove

Mammals

Otter

Roe Deer

Konik Ponies

Fox

Hare (on arable)

Reserve News & Events

We hope you all had a fantastic festive season and a happy new year to you all. The team here at Blacktoft managed a little down time and are back fully refreshed for 2025.

Weatherwise it’s been a strangely wintery start to 2025 after the almost balmy temperatures in December. Snow, freezing temperatures and ice have prevailed over the last week or so. It was -5 degrees over night which means the lagoons are frozen over at the moment so the waterfowl have abandoned site and moved onto the estuary to feed.

Our star species are keeping us entertained with marsh harriers showing well over the reed beds and we’ve had some amazing sights of bearded tits. A group of around 15 have taken up residence in the ‘borrow pit’ reed beds next to the trails. They appear to be feeding on willow herb seeds rather than reed seeds and have been taking grit from the pathways (the first time I’ve seen this in 6 years of working at Blacktoft).

Trees sparrows have also been showing well around the toilet block and reception centre. We sometimes forget how special they are. They are thought to have declined by 93% between 1970 and 2008. In recent times surveys suggest they have bounced back somewhat but we have to remember this is from a low point. We’ve worked really hard to make sure our colony has the right habitat to succeed.

Just a reminder we’re back to our normal winter opening hours.

Here’s a few of our favourite pics.