Today saw staff and volunteers conduct the monthly Wetland Bird survey across the reserve. A hardy troop of volunteers and staff ventured out through the mud, braved the elements and risked life and limb to count all the birds that are using our wetlands, (it may have been a bit less dramatic, but you get the idea!).
So our sightings were...
Lapwing were the order of the day with a good count of 390 present. Initially they were settled on the Jubilee Wetlands but they then proceeded to take off and spend the rest of the count flying high overhead or hiding somewhere out of site. Luckily though, as they went up, we were able to pick out a single Golden Plover making itself heard as it 'peeped' over our heads.
Other very good counts included Tufted duck (224), Coot (123), Mallard (94) and Canada geese (81).
The water levels are now going down and the islands are starting to become exposed but with large amounts of water still on site, ducks were definitely enjoying the site the most. Some really promising counts included Teal (84), Shoveler (56), Gadwall (39) and Wigeon (26) while also featuring regularly were Greylag geese (25), Cormorant (15), Shelduck (13) and Pochard (10).
Other birds seen included Mute swan, Grey heron, Moorhen, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull and Little egrets.
The highlights of the wetlands consisted of excellent counts of Great crested grebe (10) and Oystercatcher (5) both fairly new on site in those numbers, lingering Goldeneye (4) with the males displaying as best they can by bobbing their heads and flicking their feet up and the females pretending not to notice, and Pintail (1) that was on the North Pit before taking off and heading South. Annoyingly, I was informed later that this bird flew right over my head and I missed it!
Other notable birds that were picked up as we went round included 3 Cetti's warblers, Lesser redpoll, a nice male Brambling on the feeders, regular Buzzards and one group was treated to a singing Chiffchaff by the river, at least something is optimistic that Spring is coming!
It's good to hear that the water levels are going down at last :)
With so many g.c grebes on site, it would be nice to think that you might have some beautiful displays from them in the Spring. Something to look forward to after those flashy goldeneyes have headed north! :)