With thanks to volunteer Graham Jacobs for his wildlife report from Thursday 19 December
A beautiful clear and sunny day awaited us as we arrived at the reserve and although it clouded over a little in the afternoon we enjoyed far better visibility than has been the case in recent weeks, but it was jolly cold.
The raptors began at the top of the zig zags, where I spooked a perched Sparrowhawk which then flew off down the hill and when I arrived in Fattengates courtyard I heard that the feeding tits had been scattered by the raptor’s attempt to catch a snack.
The next bird of prey was a Kestrel hunting in the field at the back of West Mead and then a real stage show awaited us on South Brooks. A Buzzard was feasting on a carcass on the far side of the pool and had attracted the attention of first one, then two , then three Red Kites who drove the Buzzard off and took possession of the food on offer . Eventually a total of 12 Red Kites were circling in the clear blue sky above us. Then a Marsh Harrier appeared and caused some disruption as it quartered the ditches, but nothing like the pandemonium that followed the arrival of a hunting Peregrine that stayed around for quite a while.
In the distance we spotted two large raptors but they were so far away that we were not confident to call them in as Eagles , but who knows ?
All the usual wildfowl were in evidence but no Little Grebe this week , perhaps the rough surface water, caused by the strong wind, was not to his liking. The Snipe were still hiding on the main island and again clouds of Lapwing and loads of Canada Geese were on show.
Snipe by Anne Harwood
The cold wind was blowing across South Brooks so we didn’t stay long in Winpenny where the only addition to the list was a female Stonechat, struggling to stay perched on top of the vegetation in front of the hide.
The Hanger was a little less windy, but still rather cold, and there was lots to see. There must have been well over a hundred Black-tailed Godwits feeding out on the brooks, occasionally taking to the skies and putting on a wonderful aerial display. There were also good numbers of Dunlin and Ruff and the first Little Egrets I had seen for a few weeks could be seen out beyond the river bank.
Black-tailed Godwits (and a few Lapwings) by Graham Osborne
The renovated Nettleys hide offered respite from the cold wind as the windows are now so clear that you can use both bins and scopes through the glass whilst enjoying your lunch. Congratulations to all those involved in this welcome improvement. The flocks of godwit gradually got closer and closer whilst feeding on the fields giving great views to visitors who joined us, and a handsome Grey Wagtail wagged in front of the hide for good measure.
On my way back down Green Lane there was a good deal of activity as I approached the double gates by the footpath, including a small group of Redwing, a Treecreeper and a Song Thrush and lots of Blue, Great and Coal Tits. As I approached the Visitor Centre a magnificent sun set rounded off a very good day.