The water levels on the southern half of the grazing marsh are being raised ready for the return of the winter wildfowl. Within a couple of weeks of the boards being put in the first white-fronted geese of the season had arrived – four were seen on the 30th Oct with 2 more birds joining them for the following two days. Eight snow buntings were also seen on the beach at North Warren on Saturday 3rd November; David Fairhurst was able to get some video clips of them feeding amongst the shingle, these can be viewed by following the links below.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64778637/DSCN0182.AVI
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64778637/DSCN0179.AVI
I went along to the beach myself to have a look yesterday, but with no luck, however during a break in the heavy rain I was rewarded with a double rainbow out across the sea.
In other news from the reserve, the Truxor, an amphibious reed cutting machine, is due to begin a few days work in the reedbed this week to keep the ditches from becoming choked with vegetation. It will also be carrying out work in both the Minsmere and Dingle reedbeds over the coming month.
The weekly winter volunteer work parties have resumed, this time focussing on the heathland at Aldringham Walks, removing birch saplings which are encroaching into areas of open heather. This will prevent the heather being shaded out over time and will maintain the open vista of the heath. Scrub removal will also protect the archaeological features, such as the anti-aircraft ditches dating from World War 2, from being damaged by tree roots.
A few other wildlife highlights from earlier in the autumn at north warren include a pectoral sandpiper, a couple of ring ouzels and 40 little gulls. A visitor also reported some really good views of an otter in the grazing marsh ditches close to the derelict cottage, well worth looking out for when you are enjoying your autumn stroll around the reserve.