Hello! It's been fairly quiet here on the reserve today. Yesterday was a different story however! It was such a beautiful winters day - this was my view from the Visitor Centre window! There was no wind at all yesterday and Burrowes pit was so still it reflected the sky like a mirror. We had lots of happy and fresh faced visitors from their cold but sun-filled walk. A dose of Vitamin D is just what the doctor ordered!
The star of the week was our great northern diver who was seen twice on Burrowes pit from the visitor centre, last seen on the 9th February.
An early black-tailed godwit and ringed plover were seen over the week (on the 9th and 6th), so when you visit keep an eye out for any early migrants!
Bearded tits have also been seen pinging around the reedbeds over by Hooker's pit in their numbers, with 8 spotted yesterday and 4 seen today.
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Other highlights this week include:
Egyptian goose – 2 near Boulderwall farm on 11th
Brent goose – 2 near access track on 9th
Pintail – 5 on Burrowes on 9th
Smew – 1 male, 2 females on Burrowes pit on 12th
Goldeneye –on Burrowes pit and at ARC on 12th
Black-necked grebe – at ARC on 11th
Slavonian grebe – at Burrowes pit on 12th
Great northern diver – on Burrowes pit on 9th
Great white egret – by Boulderwall farm on 11th
Bittern – Denge Marsh on 12th
Marsh harrier – over Christmas Dell on 12th
Sparrowhawk – Denge Marsh on 11th
Golden plover – 200 at Denge Marsh on 12th
Dunlin – 6 at Denge Marsh on 10th
Water rail – at ARC and between Makepeace and Scotts hide on 11th
Black tailed godwit – on the reserve on 9th
Long-eared owl – roosting in willow on the far side of the dipping pond on 12th
Kingfisher – from Dennis’ hide on 11th
Stonechat –entrance track on 12th
Dartford warbler – flying towards Denge Marsh hide on 6th
Cetti’s warbler – at ARC viewing screen on 11th
Chiffchaff – by Firth hide on 11th
Bearded tit – 4 at Hookers pit ramp on 12th
Penduline tit – at Hookers pit on 11th
Long-tailed tit – by Scott’s hide on 10th
Goldcrest – by Firth hide on 12th
Firecrest – by Scott’s hide on 10th
Have a lovely weekend, hope to see you all soon!