Recent sightings from 22 to 28 October 2018
This week brought more sightings of birds of prey with Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel, Red kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk all being spotted. Noticeable were also huge flocks of Woodpigeons flying over the reserve, especially in the mornings. While big flocks have been recorded from several regions in the UK in the past, it still remains a mystery why they gather and wherefrom and whereto they are coming and going. Stonechats were still a common sight in the reed beds and along the coast. The Snipe in front of the café has become a bit more elusive, but could still be seen quite regularly. Some days brought big numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall and Teal and there were also smaller flocks of Shovelers. Goldcliff was well worth a visit for rarities. On Tuesday, a Red-breasted merganser has been recorded and a Baird’s sandpiper has been spotted there on numerous occasions during this week and was still around on Sunday. After the clocks changed Saturday night, it becomes easier to enjoy the starling murmuration and the cooler northerly wind is expected to bring in bigger numbers so that soon Starling flocks will take over centre stage from the Woodpigeon flocks. Saturday brought not only blustery conditions, but also two Bitterns and a Skylark at the reserve as well as White-fronted geese near Goldcliff.
Bairds sandpiper, Bar-tailed godwit, Bearded reedling, Bittern, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black-headed gull, Black-tailed godwit, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada goose, Carrion crow, Cetti's warbler, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great spotted woodpecker, Great tit, Green woodpecker, Greenfinch, Grey heron, Greylag goose, Herring gull, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Little egret, Little grebe, Little stint, Long-tailed tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh harrier, Meadow pipit, Merlin, Moorhen, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Pheasant, Pied wagtail, Pochard, Raven, Red-breasted merganser, Red kite, Redwing, Reed bunting, Robin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Skylark, Snipe, Song thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock dove, Stonechat, Teal, Tufted duck, Water pipit, Water rail, White-fronted goose, Wigeon, Wood pigeon and Wren.
Please note that we take our recent sightings list from the visitor sightings board that anyone can contribute to. This is great as everyone can get involved, but obviously can lead to potential errors too as they aren’t always verified! We try to keep this list as accurate as possible but if you see something unusual feel free to comment here!
Photo credit: Stonechat by Jeremy White