The star attraction over the past couple of weeks was undoubtedly a hen harrier which made daily appearances between Monday 11th and Saturday 16th December (photo by Bob Garrett). The 'ringtail' bird, a name given to female and juvenile hen harriers because of the barred appearance on the tail was thought to be a first year, and delighted visitors with its graceful hunting displays over the lagoons in close proximity to the coffee shop and hides. There are only 8 previous records of hen harrier on the reserve, the last being on 10th December 2011.
Firecrests have continued to make regular appearances with up to two birds present, generally in the vicinity of the Bridge Pond, while water pipits were seen feeding around the lagoons on 10th, 17th and 18th. Two scaup, both female types have been present throughout the period on the deep lagoon, and jack snipe were seen on 11th and 17th. Cetti's warbler was also heard on 24th.
Water rails have remained a daily sight, most regularly on the shallow lagoon from the coffee shop and in the cut areas of reedbed around the boardwalk.
Among the wading birds we've had good numbers of snipe with over 80 counted on 11th, a single black-tailed godwit which has been a regular sighting around the deep lagoon, occasional ringed plover on the estuary and a knot on 10th. The winter finally brought us some sightings of woodcock on 16th and 18th with up to two birds flying around over the reserve at dusk.
Other water birds have included mergansers regularly peaking in number at over 20, up to six pochard, eight shoveler, two goldeneye (male and female), and an occasional female goosander.
Chough were seen flying over the reserve on most days, a regular sight in winter usually in the early morning and late afternoon as they move between their feeding and roosting areas. More unusually, two were seen feeding on the reserve on 24th. Other regular sightings during the period have included flocks of siskin and bullfinch, a single lesser redpoll which has been frequenting the bird feeders, rock pipit seen regularly along the estuary, and occasional stonechat. Treecreeper, a reserve scarcity also made appearances on 21st and 22nd.
It seems that there are finally some initial signs of the starling murmurations beginning to appear, with up to 2000 birds going down to roost in the reedbeds at dusk. However, it'll be a few more weeks yet before we anticipate things getting really spectacular and we'll keep you updated on social media when the displays build to impressive numbers.