As there has been a lack of updates for the past few weeks, I shall run through the impressive list of bird sightings from around the reserve.
There have been good numbers of Fieldfare seen all over the reserve, with a large number of sightings coming from Pickup and Lin Dike. Now is an excellent time to see this wintering thrush as it feeds on the winter berries and fallen fruit, as well as any worms or insects that it can find. As well as Fieldfare there are Redwing around which are another of our wintering thrush to the UK.
Pickup hide is the best place to see Brambling, with the optimum time being early morning when it has not flown off having been disturbed by the day's activities. Also from Pickup there have been reports of Siskin, Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, and Green Woodpecker.
Other birds seen around the visitor centre include Tree Keeper, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Collard Dove, Robin, Blackbird, Blue and Great Tit, and most amusingly a Common Waxbill, which is obviously an escapee as it is a common cage bird, and it was ringed.
There have been sightings of Marsh Harrier, Peregrine falcon, Buzzard, Kestrel and Merlin all flying over the reserve in the last few weeks. Pintail, Goosander, Goldeneye and Little Egret have all been observed down over the Flashes near were Lin Dike hide is situated.
So quite an impressive selection of birds has been recorded recently and there are always more to be found. It might be cold but it never stops the enjoyment of getting out and seeing wildlife at its best.