As my switch of reserves drew closer a few weeks ago, I have to admit that there was a little part of me that was really reluctant to leave the comforting depths of the woods and come somewhere so flat, open and...watery.
I take it back.
It’s been a week since my arrival and the chilly misty mornings and balmy autumn afternoons have helped me settle in here. Staring out across main bay with the sun on the water, lingering in Charlie’s hide and walking the trails has helped me to solidify things I already knew and set me off on a mission to identity anything and everything I don’t recognise. In just a week I have spotted so much amazing wildlife, some for the first time ever.
So, what has been seen?
Raven in flight, Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
There was some excitement last week with multiple raven sightings around the visitor centre and a couple spotted up on the flashes on Friday. I find it incredibly difficult to recognise ravens in flight, their size is what gives them away but it’s hard without another bird to compare them to. Without hearing their distinctive ‘quorking’ noise I often find myself dismissing them as crows unless they’re pointed out to me.
Spoonbill flash has had several exciting reports recently with migrants arriving or just passing through. Friday saw several black tailed godwits and even more excitingly, a garganey. This dabbling duck is not a common one in the UK, although there are a few breeding pairs in the summer, this one was on its way to warmer climes. Jealous!
Black tailed godwits, Gordon Langsbury (rspb-images.com)
On Saturday night our stargazing event went ahead with clear skies. While we were waiting for it to get dark we went on a short hunt for nocturnal creatures near the visitor centre. There were some awesome displays by noctule bats, one of the largest bats in the UK. They emerge early in the evening and hunt above the tree line, unlike the comparatively smaller common pipistrelle, which emerges slightly later and prefers to swoop between the trees looking for food. While we were out we also heard a female tawny owl as she defended her territory against young owls (possibly her own) out looking for their own hunting ground. It is a common sound at this time of the year, so keep your ears open.
Fly agaric near Bob Dickens hide yesterday, Sally Granger
Other interesting things to keep an eye out for include the green sandpiper and spotted redshank, seen near pick up hide yesterday, and the plethora of fungi and dragonflies that are visible across the reserve at the moment. If you’re out and about on the reserve this week, don’t forget to let us know what you’ve seen.