We’ve had fairly stable weather conditions over the past ten days. Unfortunately, it’s consisted of cold easterly winds and almost constant light snow showers. On the plus side, the ground temperature has remained above freezing most of the time, allowing the birds to continue to feed on the reserve.
View of RSPB reserve and Vane hill on the 21st.
Oystercatcher numbers increased, with 29 counted on the 21st. Usually, largish numbers of Curlews (100+) were seen daily, along with Lapwings (40-50); solitary Lapwings could be seen seeking out nest site on the grass sward in front of the Waterston Hide.
Curlew on the Carden Flood
Flocks of Wigeon (100+) and Teal (50-60) visited regularly to feed, and a few pairs of Gadwall have been seen on the Carden Flood.
A pair of White-tailed Eagles were seen on St Serf's on the 14th, and a male Hen Harrier on the reserve on the 20th.
A female Bulfinch was seen at the start of the Heritage Trail on the 14th, and a male Yellowhammer visited the feeder station below the Cafe on the 21st.
Other items of note: around the reserve, keen observers will have noticed that some new signage has been erected, and for the scientifically minded, our new weather station, located in the “close”, allows you to see the atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity. Work is almost finished on the aquatic wildlife ponds outside the Gilman hide. Also, in a slightly longer-term project, the old tired hedge between the visitor centre and the main road is being rejuvenated and extended along to the underpass with new planting of native hedgerow species
Finally, visitor reports of a miniature highland cow nesting on the reserve have been greatly exaggerated!