We've had quite a contrast here over the last couple of weeks.
During the week before last, with the reserve completely covered in several inches of snow, almost all of the bird activity was confined to the feeder stations. Constant visits by Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Great, Coal, Long-tailed and Blue Tits, Siskins, House and Tree Sparrows, Robins, Dunnocks and Bramblings emptied the feeders within several hours. Similarly, most of our visitors confined their activities to the café and shop.
On the wetland, a few Mallard and Teal could be found on the rare patches of open flowing water, but the majority of ducks remained on Vane Bay. Despite the snow cover, flocks of Greylag Geese (up to 250) visited the reserve occasionally.
Our ‘resident’ White–tailed Eagle (Turquoise H now nicknamed Smeagol) hung around, being seen on the 23rd and 24th, over Carden Pont and on St Serf’s island. The pair of Short-eared Owls continued to be active on St Serf’s. A Red-breasted Merganser was also spotted on the loch on the 23rd.
As last weekend drew to a close, the sub-zero temperatures were replaced by warmer heavy rain, interspersed by periods of lighter rain. After the thaw and four days of rain, the wetland is looking especially…. wet. Just the weather for ducks, and these have returned in large numbers. Wigeon (200+) and Teal (150+) could be seen on Carden Flood, with similar numbers in Vane Bay. Two Shelduck were on the Flood on the 28th.
Our DuckFest has continued, with today’s sightings including a pair (M+F) of Gadwall, ten Pintails (9M+7F), a male Goosander, and six Red-breasted Mergansers (3M+3F).
That's January over for another year. Lets see what February brings.