Even after partial flooding around the reserve this week, Fairburn Ings has still seen some exciting bird action.
The weekend saw Brambling, Sparrowhawk, Reed Bunting, Willow and Coal Tit at Pickup Hide. Mealy, Arctic AND Lesser Redpoll were all seen on the reserve on Saturday. Around the Visitor Centre there were Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Green Woodpecker and a Weasel. On main bay lake 20 Goldeneye were reported and at the opposite end of the reserve near Lin Dike, 2 Little Egrets were spotted.
Throughout this week the Mealy and Lesser Redpolls have been regular seen. On Tuesday there were 11 Buzzards and 2 Peregrine Falcons circling over the visitor centre which was a real treat to witness.
The rest of this week is as follows:
Tuesday: 3 Smew at Pickup, Jack Snipe near Kingfisher Screen, Tree Creeper on Discovery Trail, Oystercatcher on Main Bay and A Tawny Owl was seen flying over the Centre.
Wednesday: Kingfisher at said Screen, 2 Smew at Pickup along with a Water Rail and a Little Egret at the back of Pickup pool, Siskin on the feeders near the visitor centre, Great Spotted Woodpecker around the boardwalk and an Oystercatcher down near Cut hide.
Today (Thursday): Grey Wagtail at Pickup hide and from Lin Dike, looking over the flashes there were a pair of Goosander, Curlew, good numbers of Lapwing, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler, Pochard, Shelduck, Tufted duck, a Green Woodpecker and Long-tailed Tits.
As you can see, there is always a huge variety of exciting bird life to see around the reserve, what ever the weather.