Sightings Highlights 09/03 to 16/03/23

(scroll to end for Reserve News & Events)

Raptors

Hen harrier (ringtail)

Short eared owl

Barn owl

Marsh harrier

Peregrine falcon

Sparrow hawk

Kestrel

Water Fowl

Russian white fronted goose

Pink footed goose

Black swan

Whooper swan

Golden eye

Mute swan

Wigeon

Teal

Gadwall

Tufted duck

Mallard

Shelduck

Shoveler

Canada goose

Greylag goose

Little grebe

Moorhen

Coot

Waders

Bittern

Avocet

Curlew

Black-tailed godwit

Redshank

Dunlin

Lapwing

Snipe

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Passerines

Redpoll

Kingfisher

Meadow pipit

Tree sparrow

Stonechat

Cettis warbler (seen & heard)

Reed bunting

Long tailed tit

Fieldfare

Redwing

Starling

Blackbird

Chaffinch

Blue tit

Great tit

Robin

Gold finch

Wren

Pied wagtail

Other

Black-headed gull

Carrion crow

Pheasant

Wood pigeon

Magpie

Reserve News & Events

Did anyone see #Wildisles last Sunday? Such amazing footage of some of the most incredible wildlife the UK has to offer. I was riveted by the smallest feature of the show, the lords and ladies flowers. I was fascinated by reproduction strategy. I’m not going to elaborate here – if you missed it you can always catch up on BBC iPlayer! Please keep watching – this week is all about woodlands!

At the RSPB we’ve always known the benefits of being out in the fresh air, especially surrounded by nature. Simply being outdoors and in nature for 20 minutes can help boost your mood. To take even more advantage of the wellbeing benefits at Blacktoft we’ll be introducing a Mindfulness trail to the reserve in coming weeks with some simple exercise you can do to feel even better.

Perhaps the highlight of my week was seeing my first avocet of the year, just the one last Sunday but there’s been at least five. Pete managed to catch some mating behaviour too – check our facebook page.

Here’s a few of our favourite pics this week!

Booming Bittern                                               (Pic: Andy H)

Russian white fronted goose                       (Pic: D.Johnson)

Short eared owl                                                (Pic: P.Short)

Redpoll                                                                 (Pic: P.Short)

Avocet                                                  (Pic: D.Johnson)

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:

  • Limited availability for a more personal experience.
  • Expert knowledge and experience.
  • Sights, sounds and smells of early spring
  • Access to binoculars and spotting scopes where required.
  • Refreshments at our visitor centre afterwards (included e.g. tea/coffee/flapjack)

https://events.rspb.org.uk/blacktoftsands

email blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk

Tel. 01405 704665

Happy birding!

Keep up to date with all the latest from Blacktoft Sands: