Top Ten birds
Whooper swans
Pink footed geese
Teal
Pintail
Goldeneye
Black Tailed Godwit
Green Sandpiper
Stonechat
Bearded tit
Kingfisher
Autumn was very much present at RSPB St Aidan's in October. The reed beds have lost their greenery and are turning gold and grey. The trees around the reserve are changing colour and dropping leaves – there are flashes of gold, crimson, orange and rust all around. The nature park is particularly beautiful during autumn.
12 October was World Migratory Bird Day and we have certainly seen the impact of migration, both in losing many of our summer visitors and also welcoming visitors joining us for the winter. Large skeins of Pink Footed Geese, leaving their breeding grounds in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland, are seen flying over the nature park, often in the morning. You can witness their incredible spectacle on one of our goose roost walks happening this November here. Every winter, thousands of Whooper Swans migrate to the UK from Iceland, and they are regularly seen flying over the nature park.
Winter ducks are now arriving – Teal, Pintail and Goldeneye are seen sharing the lagoons with the some of our more familiar ducks such as Tufted Duck, Pochard and Gadwall. Shovellers are seen throughout the year at RSPB St Aidan's and like many ducks, there is a move south for the winter at the same time as numbers are boosted by visitors from Central Europe and Russia. These amazing ducks with their huge spade like bills and bright plumage of the males, are consistently seen on the lakes and surrounding areas.
As the water levels have dropped, more waders are seen on the reserve. There have been daily sightings of Black Tailed Godwits, and less frequently, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Curlews are seen. The lapwings are still present in large numbers.
There are many exciting birds at St Aidans which are present all year round, but not seen so often. Bitterns and Bearded Tit become more visible as the reedbeds thin, and can sometimes make a surprise appearance. Marsh harriers are regularly seen quartering the reed beds and the Egrets, both Little and Great White, are usually present.
This year, the Stonechats are appearing very near to the Visitor Centre or along the path headed away from the car park. It is always a joy to see this confident little bird perching on a bush or branch of a small tree for all to admire.
The Canada and Greylag Geese are still around in large numbers and their loud honkings create the soundscape of the reserve. So, wrap up in a warm coat and scarf, grab a hot drink and cake from the Little Owl Café and sit and enjoy the wonderful sight of RSPB St Aidan's in autumn!
We have a whole range of events to make your visit truly special this Autumn, why not have a look here? Don't forget to tag us in your photos on social media too!
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Written By: H. Bladdon
Images: K. Speight, BC photography