Reedbed birds continue to provide the possibility of excitement this week. A singing Cetti's Warbler is a pleasant welcome in the mornings as I open the Wildlife Watchpoint Hide and a Bearded Tit has once again been seen in front of the Phil Stead Hide, but sadly not on my hastily erected grit tray. Up to 3 Bitterns continue to fly around Haverton and Middle Tank.
It's always nice to see Brambling in winter and a single bird has been at the Visitor Centre feeding station, along with a few Lesser Redpolls. The Brambling seems quite at home on the ground next to the Hedgehog Box.
One of our Lesser Redpolls by Ian Forrest
Another favourite of mine but scarce at Saltholme, are the group of 20 Long-tailed Tits which can be seen on the Pedestrian path and along the Watchpoint Hedge.
It's always nice to see Long-tailed Tits, photo by Ian Forrest.
The pools this week have attracted 20 Whooper Swans for a short rest as they move south, and the flock of Golden Plover has swelled to 1,800 birds. They make a real spectacle when they take flight as they twist and turn in the sunlight. Look for them in the wet grassland from Paddy's Hide.