Can you believe it's the last day of September? This year has flown by! We've had another fabulous week on the reserve full of wonderful sightings. This weeks superstars are the glossy ibis, montagu's harrier and the cattle egret (which has become best mates with the cows and has been seen with them every day).
There have also been huge flocks of lapwing, golden plover and large numbers of swallows, sand and house martins. Yesterday 150 sandwich terns were also reported over Burrowes pit! Although it doesn't really feel like autumn yet, the migration is happening. We've still seen one or two ospreys and hobbies stopping by the reserve before they migrate south again.
Image: Sandwich tern with a fish by Graham Parry
Our islands are on top form at the moment, attracting an array of different waders such as little ringed plover, avocet, grey plover, green sandpiper, knot, curlew sandpiper, bar-tailed godwit, little stint and sanderling. We have also been lucky enough to witness a bathing peregrine falcon up close too! This is the best time of year to view waders up close in the visitor centre so come on in - enjoy a hot drink whilst admiring the view.
Image: Current view from the visitor centre by Louise Kelly
Image: a peregrine falcon having a bath in Burrowes pit by Graham Parry
On Sunday 9th October we are hosting a Wild Families - Awesome Autumn event. Learn about what wildlife gets up to in the autumn and get stuck in with a variety of autumn-themed craft activities! The event starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm. Children are £8, accompanying adults £1. Please bring a packed lunch with you.
I finish this piece with a report that 11 spoonbills have just flown over Burrowes pit (I missed them!!) and a manx shearwater over at the ARC being mobbed by a marsh harrier. It's all kicked off here - well worth a visit this weekend to watch bird migration in action!
Image: a manx shearwater taking flight by Chris Gomersall