Recent Sightings - December 2010

Due to the severe winter weather bird sightings were considerably affected this month. The lake and marsh pool were virtually frozen over with just small amounts of open water. However some water birds were still to be seen on the open water including up to 23 goosander, a pair of goldeneye, shoveler, pochard, gadwall, wigeon, tufted, mallard and a few teal, all accompanied by more than 200 coot. A couple of grey herons were having difficulty finding a meal and large flocks of lapwing and black-headed gulls looked petrified on the ice. Other gulls were lesser black-backed and common.

A green sandpiper made occasional appearances, as did a grey wagtail and a few common snipe. Small flocks of redwing and fieldfare could be seen frequently flying over and both mistle and song thrushes were also seen. Mixed flocks of siskin and redpoll were regular visitors and other small birds around the reserve included goldfinch, bullfinch, willow tit, house sparrow and robin.

As well as the usual raptors, sparrowhawk, buzzard and kestrel, a peregrine was sighted (11^th.)