This week, we've barely seen the sun. However, we have had a few good bird sightings to make up for it - particularly today!
Firecrests and goldcrests are everywhere at the moment, often seen in our Discovery Area in the gorse bushes, by the bird feeders in the car park and over in the Willow Trail at the ARC. These tiny and beautiful birds are seen more often this time of year as we get large numbers of winter migrants flock to the UK and join our population of resident birds. Goldcrests are Britains smallest birds, weighing just 4.5g - the same as a 5 pence piece. Firecrests don't weigh any more than goldcrests but are slightly bigger, they are distinguished by the black and white stripes above their eyes. Their colourful markings and yellow/red crests on their heads can be seen brightening up shrubs and trees during the winter.
Goldcrest - Graham Parry
Firecrest - Graham Parry
All week we have had Bewick's and Whooper swans on the ARC pit with pink-footed and whitefronted geese tantalisingly close but just off the reserve in a neighbouring field. Yellow-legged and caspian gulls have been seen again on Burrowes Pit. Sparrowhawks, merlins and also a lovely sighting of a peregrine bathing in Burrowes Pit was witnessed today.
Merlins - by reserve entrance track - Martin Casemore
The highlight of the day today however, was at Lade Pits where we had a confirmed sighting of a Hume's yellow-browed warbler and a red-necked grebe!
Our autumn highlights - the cattle egrets - are still around but may not be for long as we will be moving the cows off our reserve soon for the winter. Please note that the sheep will be roaming freely from the 8th December too, as they do each winter to graze the wider reserve.
To top it off we had 8 goosander come into Burrowes Pit this afternoon and we rescued a poorly kestrel who we hope will make a full recovery at RSPCA Mallydams wildlife rescue!
Don't forget that next Sunday it's our Winter Fair so please come and support us by turning up between 11am and 4pm. See poster below for details.