Hello
If you have visited the reserve recently you may have noticed the change in the water levels on the laggon from the tern hide. At the end of summer we gradually lower the water levels on this lagoon exposing shallow feeding areas and islands for loafing. We have been slowly lowering the water levels since late July in the hope of attracting some passing migrants. We were rewarded with a black-tailed godwit from 29 July to 2 August. Even though there were no islands exposed yet it was feeding and sleeping in amongst a flock of lapwing in the shallow water. After lowering the water again we now have some islands exposed which are readily used by loafing water fowl including shoveler, tufted duck, gadwall, pochard, mute swan. Little egret and grey heron are also regularly in this area and the peak count of lapwing is 94 (so far). The green sandpipers have also moved from the draper hide to feed on these newly exposed areas and were joied by a juvenile garganey on saturday 10th to present. A group of 4 black-tailed godwits spent the day on the islands and in the shallows on Monday 12 august and 2 wigeon also turned up and remain. Today 2 snipe were visible feeding in the shallows, it is nice to have them return after the breeding season. So keep your eyes on this area you never know what may turn up this time of year.
black-tailed godwit
Other signs of migration were apparent today with 4 swift passing through and a clouded yellow butterfly near the draper hide.
clouded yellow
The Rye Meads Ringing Group (RMRG) spent some time ringing yesterday and today in the vicinity of the draper hide catching 98 birds in total including 2 willow warbler, a chiff chaff, 3 white throat, 1 garden warbler, 42 reed warbler, 38 sedge warbler, and 2 cettis warbler along with wren, black bird, teal, jay and 3 green sandpiper and they had a sighting of the female marsh harrier. Inconjunction with the RMRG we are running an Autumn Migration event on saturday 7th September 8am, so if you would like to see close up views of birds as they prepare for migration and hear about the various strategies and perils of their migration.
Water voles are very active at the feeding station today and they are really loving the apples so if you have a look as you are passing there is a very good chance of great sightings. I have seen lots of lovely pictures taken from there over the past copuple of days.
Hope too see you here soon.
Vicky