The new year has begun with a variety of species of interest seen around the reserve.
With waxwings being very numerous around the country so far this winter, we almost missed out here except for one individual seen flying over the estuary track on 30/12, the first reserve record since December 2012 (library image by Andy Hay, RSPB images).
Other highlights have included Siberian chiffchaff and Scandinavian rock pipit on 26/12, both of which are scarcer subspecies of our regular chiffchaff and rock pipit. Another red-throated diver appeared on the estuary on 25/12 (or perhaps the same individual that was here on 10/11), which now brings the total number of reserve records up to five. Individual jack snipe were seen again on 31/12, 1/1 and 10/1, while five woodcock was a good reserve count on 18/1. Tawny owls are normally very elusive on the reserve, so sightings on 30/12, 10/1 and 18/1 were unusual.
Other notable waders have included spotted redshank with individuals on 23/12 and 31/12, and two on 14/1; greenshank on several dates with a maximum of six birds on 16/1 (library image by Andy Hay, RSPB images); occasional knot with a peak of six on 14/1; and small numbers of black-tailed godwit with a high count of five on 30/12.
Wildfowl and other waterbirds of interest have included up to five merganser and occasionally a pair of goosander, up to 10 pochard and up to 37 shoveler. A great crested grebe was also present on 3/1, 6/1, and 7/1. Kingfisher and water rail have also put in regular appearances.
Passerines have once again included numerous flocks of siskin with a maximum of around 40 birds on 13/1 (library image by Ben Andrew, RSPB images). A fieldfare was present on 18/1 among the more numerous redwings, while other species of interest have included regular Cetti’s warbler, linnet, bullfinch and occasional stonechat.
Of non-avian interest was a grey seal on 29/12, a fairly unusual occurrence this far up the Conwy estuary with only four previous reserve records.