A few of our regular birders have spotted a great white egret on the moat just beyond Newton Farm on Newton Lane (if you’re heading towards the reserve from Allerton Bywater). UPDATE: *It’s now on Spoonbill Flash*They’re beautiful birds with snowy white plumage and yellow bills. Related to herons but slightly smaller than a grey heron, they’re a common species but uncommon to actually spot so get down there to try and get a glimpse!
Walking around on the reserve today, I got shown a buff tip moth which had curled its wings round itself and could perfectly camouflage itself onto tree bark. It looked exactly like a twig stump and I couldn’t believe someone had actually seen it.
I also got shown a water ladybird which has the same colourings as a normal ladybird, but has a more typical beetle shape and 19 spots. Their body is also flatter, apparently so they can swim better. It was very pretty, and they can often be found on the outer-side edge of our pond dipping platforms as they seem to like the yellow colour of the paint round the edges.
Other sightings today include several kingfishers at Pickup hide and the Screen, a jay at Pickup, little owl near Newton Farm, little egret flew over Red Shale Road (the stretch of uphill after the kingfisher screen), and a greater spotted woodpecker at the camera feeder. In the last few days we’ve had a pied wagtail and willow tit seen at the pond dipping platform, oyster catchers, a common sandpiper at the Pickup hide, a treecreeper on the Discovery Trail, and avocet on Big Hole.