A great start to the wildlife watching week...
This lovely short eared owl was seen by our volunteers whilst they were undertaking our Wetland Bird Survey monthly count - although I suspect it distracted Laurie and Gary from counting all those hundreds of wigeon! We have been getting regular sightings of short eared owl over the past couple of weeks, often from Winpenny hide where you are closest to the river bank, this one was surveying the North Brooks.
Thanks to Gary for the photo.
A little gang of misfits has taken up residence in Upperton's field and can often be seen from the Visitor Centre window. The gang has consisted of a couple of stonechats and a Dartford warbler for the past week or so, with a reed bunting joining the little party this morning. The Dartford warbler is a great bird record for the reserve although it seems to have chosen the arable rather than heathland habitat.
To complete our trio of sightings, volunteer Anne spotted and photographed a great grey shrike from West Mead Hide - and it's her first solo outing as one of our hides & trails volunteers. We now have great expectations.
Who knows what will put in an appearance this afternoon...