Latest Sightings 5th October

Starting with geese, we had another early morning count this week and we totted up 18,650, which to be honest is rather a low figure for Strathbeg. Hopefully our numbers will go up in time for our next count on 13th October. However, 18,000 geese is still an impressive sight especially when about half of them are milling around the wet grass in front of the Tower Pool Hide early in the morning producing an amazing spectacle. Barnacle geese this week peaked at 160 and on 29th September we also recorded a single Bean goose and a European white-fronted goose. Duck highlights included 2 Scaup on 29th September and there was still at least one the following day. Wigeon numbers are nearing the high hundreds, while pintail peaked at 12 on 30th September. Shoveler numbers are building up with 18 seen earlier in the week. There have been no more Whooper swan arrivals but those that are here are best viewed from the Loch Hides. Visitors had close up views of a Water rail today as it strutted in front of Fen Hide and stood preening itself for 10 minutes. Water rail are heard most days on the reserve, but rarely seen. Also seen from Fen Hide, a single Bearded tit last Sunday. Wader excitement has tailed off, but there are still some highlights with 15 Ruff today and 9 Black-tailed Godwits. There is also a small group of Dunlin most days, which peaked at 16 mid-week. Two Knot were on Starnafin Pools during the week also and the Little stint was last seen on 29th September. Up to 20 snipe can be seen most days, but they are elusive, spread across the marshy habitat and I was lucky enough to flush a Jack snipe mid week when I was out checking the Konik Ponies. Most days we are seeing in the region of 100 Curlew and our winter Lapwing flock currently stands at 440. Autumn migration has brought some tasty sightings, especially in and around the plantation. Three Yellow-browed warblers were seen on Wednesday, along with 2 Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap and numerous Goldcrests. However, on Friday (after easterly gales) the highlight was a fly-over of a flock of about 150 Crossbills plus a single Lapland bunting. Another Yellow-browed warbler popped up in Starnafin garden along with an influx of blackbirds gorging themselves on the plentiful rowan berries. Wheatears have also been seen scattered across the reserve. Our winter farmland bird numbers are quite slow to build up this year, but from Tower Pool Hide most days you will see a delightful “charm” of up to 60 Goldfinch. They are making the most of the Knapweed seeds in the grass fields to the left and right. The bird of prey highlight this week as in the case most weeks was a Peregrine falcon causing havoc over Starnafin pools on Wednesday. Rattray head, although not part of reserve, is always worth a visit and has thrown up some terrific stuff this week: Bluethroat (elusive); Lesser whitethroat (quite elusive); Firecrest (very showy!) and also a couple of Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Not a lot of “other wildlife” to report this week other than an excellent Badger sighting as it flew (yes, literally flew) across in front of Fen Hide and Common Darters (dragonfly) are still on the go. The Tower Pool Hide is a good spot to see them as they bask in the sun on the outside of the hide. Hopefully that little summary has wetted your appetite for a spot of wildlife watching tomorrow.