Even with some less than desirable weather this week there has still been good reports of bird activity around the reserve. The sounds of Chiffchaff have been great to hear, but also seem slightly out of place as they have not been heard since the breeding season. Redpolls are showing up around the reserve and this week; a few have been seen around the visitor centre. They are generally a winter visitor to Britain and a sure sign that autumn is under way.
The first of our winter migrants are beginning to appear now, with Redwing and Pintail being the first. They were seen at Lin Dike and over the flashes on Sunday. Two Siskin were viewed around the boardwalk on Tuesday which is also excellent news.
Other exciting news this week is that there have been two separate sightings of a Hen Harrier seen flying over the reserve. The first report came on Saturday and the raptor was said to be flying East over the visitor centre. The second report came on Tuesday and was heading in a westerly direction. Seeing as the Hen Harrier is one of the most persecuted birds of prey in the UK and any sightings or reports of these stunning raptors are always very encouraging.