Please post your notable sightings on this thread. Notable means notable to you - no matter how common! Not only is it nice to share, but we can use the information in our casual sightings records to help maintain a picture of species and numbers on the reserve.
I'll set the ball rolling:-
Thursday 3rd Jan
Black tailed godwit x c200 in flight over Drayton Lagoon/Elney Lake
Goldeneye x 4 Drayton Lagoon South
1 Weasel
Tim Fisher
15/02/2013
Red Kite
Slavonian Grebe
Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Water Rail
16/02/2013
Bittern (flying from across Elney Lake and across Drayton Lagoon)
Black Tailed Godwits (at least a couple of very large flocks)
Goldeneye x 15
Curlew - HEARD on the western shore of Drayton Lagoon.
In addition to Steve's sightings, today:
1 woodcock - beside the Oxholme Drain, to the west of Holywell Lake
Cetti's warbler & water rail calling from Holywell Lake
3 goosanders - a drake & two redheads in the scrape beside Ferry Mere
Andy
18/02/2013
Kingfisher
Treecreeper
Kestrel
Bullfinch
Goldcrest
Goldeneye
19/02/2013
Peregrine - Ferry Mere over Lapwings and Godwits
Slavonian Grebe - South Ferry Lagoon
Godwits - 800+ Ferry Mere
Pintail
Green Woodpecker
Slavonian grebe on Ferry
Little Egret
Golden Eye and Great Crested Grebes displaying
Several snipe
04/03/2013
Barn Owl
Sparrowhawk
Peacock Butterfly X 5
Linnet
Yellowhammer
Moorhen
05/03/2013
Kingfisher/s flew in front of Coucher hide several times
Fox x 2 Moore Lake
Little Egret - Moore Lake
Buzzard - Discovery Zone
Oystercatcher x 2 - Moore Lake
Stonechat
Shoveler
Snipe - Discovery Zone
Linnets
06/03/2013
Kingfishers,
The Kingfishers were very active today, from Coucher Hide they were flying past regularly, a pair were flying together a lot right passed the front of the hide across More Lake to where the line of willows are mid way across to the left.
A quick explanation for now;
From my observations I have noticed that they are coming from the South West corner of Drayton Lagoon, possibly the small pond, going across the busway, over what will be Kingfisher Pond, into Moore ditch, up the ditch to about 50 metres before the hide, across the field to the right of the hide as you approach and then across Moore Lake to the left into the line of willows.... And back the same route.
I have found that the best place to possibly see them is from the hide because you get longer view time as the fly across the lake. They are not easy to spot so listen out for their call as a guide.
If you see me around the reserve you can ask me more info, you will see 'Steve' on my RSPB name badge.
I hope you have some luck.
ENJOY!
Marsh harrier - female over Oxholme Lake
Bullfinches
Pochard
Teal
Golden eye
Oystercatcher X2 Moore Lake
Large flock chaffinch and goldcrests