A prolonged cold snap announced the beginning of winter, following a wet and windy conclusion to autumn. The clear, cold days bring a delight to the eye around the reserve as everything is shrouded in a layer of frost. It glistens in the low sun and the frozen lagoons are quiet for now. The wildlife spends much of it time looking for food and trying to keep warm.
But do not be deceived there is much still to see around the reserve. Many of the usual suspects have moved south, with highlights from the autumn still lingering in the memory on wind lashed days to see an Arctic Skua looking for the best way back to sea and southwards. The week after the winds brought another unusual Skua in the form of a Long-Tailed Skua, a juvenile, venturing south for the first time lingering but a few moments on the Bay’s shores before resuming its journey.
But with the winds turning to the north the familiar noise of Pink-Footed Geese fills the air as the procession of skeins proceed across the reserve. Whooper Swans call from the fields as more of their compatriots arrive from the north.
Pinks
And so, the resident Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins are joined by Grey Plover, Dunlin and other waders from the north. Snipe flood in increasing their presence on the reserve becoming bolder as they search for soft areas of mud which have alluded the freezing nights to grab a worm or two.
Snipe ohh that's cold says the Song Thrush
Grey Plover
snipe
The marsh now has a new visitor a ghostly grey shadow gliding across the skies, a male Hen Harrier, looking for its next meal.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon