With last weeks report ending with some exotic visitors then this week’s sight will start with some more exotic visitors to the harbour. On Tuesday two Ruddy Shelduck appeared at White’s Creek at the north side of the Reserve. These very attractive ducks generally frequent more easterly locations as they are native Asia, South Eastern Europe and Eastern Africa. However there are many in collection around the UK and escapes from these have established feral populations. So go and see them and make your own mind up. Could they be wild birds from the east who knows?
As the winter progresses towards the equinox in late December and the daylight hours shorten particular further north more and more birds arrive from distance lands. The deepest winter months are the best to see large number of birds in the harbour. On the last monthly survey over 10000 wetland birds were present. 2100 Lapwing, 2500 Wigeon, 1500 Dunlin, 1600 Brent Goose, 500 Knot and 300 Golden Plover made some amazing spectacles as they were constantly moving around as the tide came rushing in, every now and again all of them taking to flight as the local Peregrines went searching for their lunch.
Although things on the sea had become a lot quieter during the week there was still plenty to keep those patient birdwatchers interested. The Long Tail Ducks continued grace us with there presences as well as Slavonian Grebes, Red Throated Diver and occasionally the odd Gannet and Razorbill.
A few years ago a Raven honking its way merrily across the sky in Sussex would have risen more than a few eye brows. However around the reserve these jet black birds are becoming a more regular sight particular through the winter. So whilst watching the plethora of wildfowl and Church Norton or on Ferry Pool it worth a quick look through the rooks and crows as you may be lucky and pick up a Raven.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon