A Grey Phalarope was seen on the reserve on Saturday which is very exciting news, this is the 7th recording of this species to the reserve since 1956. It was reported to be on the pool down below Red Shale road. They are not usually seen inland, strong winds will probably have been responsible for blowing this little wader off course.
The second sighting this Autumn of the Long Eared Owl came in on Sunday from Lin Dike part of the reserve, and there has also been a Little Owl around this week, with three separate reports throughout the week. The observations of the Little Owl were all in the field behind the visitor centre.
The following was seen from Pickup hide on Monday: Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Black-headed and backed Gull, Green Sandpiper, Wigeon, Cormorant, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Willow Tit, Tree Creeper, Kestrel and Sarrowhawk. It's amazing what you can see if you sit down for 20 minutes!
Other sightings this week include Mistle Thrush and Redwing around the boardwalk and Golden Plover, Little Egret, Pintail and Marsh Harrier down on the flashes or from Lin Dike.