Here’s the recent sightings since the 23rd of March until the 1st April...
There’s been lots of Chiffchaff singing in the trees on the Riverbank Trail as well as around the visitor centre and we’ve had out first Blackcap heard on the 31st March. Also heard on 31st March was Willow Warbler. Also seen was Green Woodpecker around the boardwalk and the Riverbank Trail.
A Glaucous gull was seen on the 26th March.
More frequent sightings of Sand Martin and Swallow and lots of Skylark singing on Main Bay Tip and they can be seen and heard from the Riverbank Trail. Sightings of Water Pipit were recorded on 31st March and 1st April
Also, the Kingfishers are making a come back after the cold winter, more frequent sightings are being reported from the Kingfisher watchpoint. A couple of sightings of Treecreeper around the visitor centre on 23 March and 27 March.
2 Little Egret were seen at Lin Dike on 23 March and 24 March. Out on main lake there’ve been sightings of Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Shelduck, Goldeneye and Female Smew.
Waders seen on the reserve over the past few weeks include Oystercatcher, Curlew, Dunlin and Snipe. In the trees around the visitor centre we’ve seen Redpoll and Song Thrush
Birds on the feeders include the usual suspects: Great Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Robin, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and also a Brambling on the 27th March. Also seen has been a pair of Reed Bunting visiting our feeders.
In terms of raptors over the past 2 weeks: Buzzard at Lin Dike, Red Kite over the flashes, a Merlin and regular sightings of Kestrel at various points on the reserve.
Other wildlife on the reserve includes: Brimstone butterfly, Frogspawn in the ponds, Grey Rabbit and Grey Squirrel