Hello
This week has seen a coating of frost on our car window screens and trails around the reserve. Lapwing and golden plover now number into the thousands, the best area to see them is on the path down to the Saltholme Pools Hide where they are frequently scattered by birds of prey like marsh harrier. Wildfowl can also be seen in high numbers with wigeon, shovelers, teal, gadwalls now seen regularly around the site.
There are still whooper swans and pink footed geese flying over the reserve with the occasional few touching down. The water pipits are still regularly seen on Bottom Tank and cetti's warbler can still be herd at Haverton.
Up to three water pipit have foraged around Bottom Tank (Photo Dan McKie).
Our Sunset Safari walks have been another highlight, the dusk walks have produced sightings of roosting little egret, with the occasional great white egret joining them and finally thousands of murmurating starling. The murmuration is a spectacular display of weaving and winding, but is added to by the glorious sunsets the autumnal nights have to offer. Overall its been a great week and with Wetland Bird Count (WeBS) this weekend it will be interesting to count the abundance of species around the reserve.
Until next week take care and keep wildlife watching.
Tom