This year the months have merged into each other without too much change, it’s been mild and currently autumn is taking hold. The signs of autumn are showing - the berries are ripening, the summer plants are dying off and the birds are arriving slowly.
This morning, walking towards the wildlife watch point hide I could see the hawthorn hedging full of berries and ripening up great, soon it will be ready for migrant birds to perch on and feed…. It would be nice to see what I remember from last winter - the fieldfare, blackbirds and waxwings in the same area enjoying the hawthorn berries.
You can see the difference from the summer months along the path, the before and after photo (you can click on them to enlarge the small images.)
Today the estate team where around the wildlife watch point hide, in and around the water. We have created a screen that separates the feeding station and the main part of water. On the opposite side of the hide you can see a channel of reeds that have been cut out. Throughout the day, myself, Nathan, Brian, Dean and Peter have been cutting back the growth from this year. Without management of the reeds, they would creep forward and the reeds would be too thick. The wader birds wouldn’t get full use of the habitat and people would not get to see the birds. So a channel has been opened up with views into the reeds, you will get better views of birds like water rail, coot and wigeon. The other before and after photo is below.
Today I saw little egrets; greenfinch and tree sparrows next to the Phil Stead hide, and water rail have been seen there too. Lots of golden plover have been seen over the reserve and a good view of a greater spotted woodpecker.
- Josh McGowan