Afternoon,

Just a quick blog to tell you what we've seen over the weekend and today.

 We've seen alot of wildfowl - teal, shelduck, shoveler, gadwall, mallard, pochard and tufted duck, as well as mute swan and Canada goose. We have seen (and heard) water rail, snipe and green sandpiper. Bullfinches are still showing off by the gate just past the Draper hide. The bittern was seen yesterday flying over, heading towards the Draper hide - he/ she/ them have been seen at the Draper hide a few times. When the water gets frozen on the reserve that's usually a good time to see the bittern - they are forced to come a bit more into the open to find open water to fish (which is much easier for us!) A sparrowhawk has taken to sitting in one of the trees that can be seen from the Draper hide so do keep an eye out!

 

This stunning picture of a male bullfinch at Rye Meads was taken by Peter Hewitt