Recent Sightings & Highlights 28/09/24 – 16/10/24 - Charlie's Blacktoft Blog - Blacktoft Sands

xDarrenx

16 Oct 2024

Recent Sightings & Highlights 28/09/24 – 16/10/24

(scroll to end for Reserve News and Events)

Raptors

Merlin

Marsh Harrier

Hobby

Barn Owl

Buzzard

Kestrel

Sparrow Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Hen Harrier (ringtail)

Waterfowl

Pink-footed Goose (up to 23000 on Humber)

Pintail

Whooper Swan

Teal

Wigeon

Gadwall

Greylag

Mallard

Shoveler

Shelduck

Pochard

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Little Grebe

Moorhen

Waders

Golden Plover (over estuary & on arable)

Spotted Redshank

Snipe

Ruff

Curlew

Dunlin

Lapwing

Redshank

Water Rail

Passerines

Kingfisher

Redwing

Bearded Tit

Tree Sparrow

Cetti’s Warbler

Chiff Chaff

Stonechat

Meadow Pipit

Skylark

Reed Bunting

Linnet

Wren

Reed Warbler (last seen 28.09.24)

Robin

Goldfinch

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Starling

Pied Wagtail

Hirundines

House Martin (last report 14.10.24)

Swallow (last report 29.09.24)

Gulls & Water Birds

Cormorant

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Herring Gull

Herons

Bittern

Great White Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Others

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Magpie

Wood Pigeon

Pheasant

Stock Dove

Mammals

Konik Pony

Stoat

Weasel

Water Vole

Roe Deer

Fox

Reptiles & Insects

Grass Snake

Common Toad

Migrant Hawker

Common Darter

Ruddy Darter

Red Admiral Butterfly

Large White Butterfly

Reserve News & Events

Whilst today (16.10.24) is unseasonably warm if a little gloomy it’s definitely time to break out the hats, scarves and big coats. Just a reminder that reception is open at weekends only but it was great this last weekend to have the log burner going.

Other signs of the changing seasons prevail too. We’re expecting some high tides this coming weekend (18^th to 21^st October 2024) which could bring an influx of water onto the reserve and cover the pathways. Of course we’ll be sure to inform everyone via our social media channels on Facebook X (formerly Twitter) and on here.

It’s not a precise science predicting if the reserve pathways will be covered in water so we can’t be certain we will flood – fingers crossed. We are on a natural flood plain and whilst it’s not great for visitors when we do flood it’s good for the habitat.

This time of year is great for observing fungi as they emerge in the damper conditions. Fungi play an amazingly important role in our ecosystems. The mushrooms we see above ground are usually the fruit of organism – the vast majority laying under our feet underground in the form of mycelium. These often tiny threads wrap around and bore into tree roots forming a ‘network’ allowing trees to communicate with each other. But this “mycorrhizal network” is also capable of transferring water and nutrients to the tree roots – providing a vital source of “food” in the winter months when photosynthesis isn’t possible.

Identifying fungi isn’t an easy task at all. Over 15,000 species have been recorded in the UK alone, some of which can be very harmful and dangerous to us humans. Please do not pick or eat any fungi unless you are experienced and 100% sure it is safe to do so.

I don’t profess to being very experienced at identifying mushrooms but I did come across these two species on the reserve this week.