Sighting Highlights 28/03 to 04/04/23
(scroll to end for Reserve News & Events)
Raptors
Red kite
Peregrine falcon
Marsh harrier
Buzzard
Kestrel
Barn owl
Water Fowl
Garganey
Russian white fronted goose
Pink footed goose (30+ flying north)
Pintail
Whooper swan (fields and flying through)
Mute swan
Canada goose
Greylag goose
Golden eye
Shelduck
Wigeon
Shoveler
Teal
Gadwall
Mallard
Tufted duck
Waders
Bittern (seen & booming)
Avocet
Curlew
Snipe
Black-tailed godwit
Oyster catcher
Ring plover
Redshank
Spotted Redshank
Lapwing
Little egret
Grey heron
Little grebe
Coot
Moorhen
Passerines
Bearded tit
Chiffchaff
Black cap
Tree sparrow
Chaffinch
Cettis warbler
Reed bunting
Gold finch
Long-tailed tit
Blue tit
Great tit
Robin
Blackbird
Pied wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Starling
Meadow pipit
Hirundines
Sand Martin
Mammals
Otter
Weasel
Stoat
Other
Stock dove
Wood pigeon
Carrion crow
Pheasant
Magpie
Common toad
Reserve News & Events
After a few glorious sunny days it feels like spring has sprung at last, especially since the arrival of chiffchaff adding to the fantastic bird song around the reserve just now. As such we’ve switched our reception opening hours to 7 days a week 9am until 5pm. Pop in, grab a hot drink and a snack and share a yarn with us as you wonder around the reserve. It definitely brightens our day even more!
You’ll be pleased to hear that our recent floods have now subsided and all trails and hides are open as normal. We’re not expecting any more now until autumn at the very earliest.
As promised we’ve installed the mindfulness trail. Take a moment at each of the 4 lecterns to have a read and perhaps partake of the simple exercises as you go around the main trails. It’s scientifically proven that 20 minutes in nature helps to boost the way you feel and these mindfulness points will help you take full advantage of your environment.
Here’s a few of our favourite pics this week!
Garganey at Marshland (Pic: P.Short)
Pink footed geese (Pic: P.Short)
Spotted Redshank (Pic: D.Johnson)
Black-tailed godwit (Pic: P.Short)
Ring Plover (Pic: D.Johnson)
Stock dove (Pic: P.Short)
Dawn Chorus Exclusive Event – Saturday 15th April 7.30am – 10.30am
Join our experienced guides and enjoy exclusive early morning access exploring the sights and sounds of emerging spring at Blacktoft Sands.
Spend the first hour spotting marsh harriers as they rise from the reed beds or barn owls silently hunting with our experienced spotters. Then take in the rest of the reserve along with our guide helping you to spot, hear and enjoy the plethora of wildlife along the trails and on the lagoons from our numerous hides.
New to birding or looking to build your birding knowledge and ID skills then this is the tour for you!
Learn more about this unique wildlife rich reserve and landscape as we celebrate 50 years of Blacktoft, before exploring at your leisure for the rest of the day.
Enjoy:
https://events.rspb.org.uk/blacktoftsands
email blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk
Tel. 01405 704665
Happy birding!
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