Two female goosander marked the return of this wintering species to the reserve (28th.). Numbers of lapwing also moving in for the winter reached more than 60 whilst small numbers of summer visitors could still be seen including reed warbler, blackcap and a hobby (10th.) which stayed for a few days and was seen over the reserve chasing dragonflies. There were regular sightings of other raptors, as well as the hobby, namely sparrowhawk, kestrel and 4 buzzards flying together.
Small numbers of martins and swallows could still be seen swooping over the lake to feed but swift seem to have left us for warmer climes. The breeding common tern and juveniles were last seen on the first of the month.
Around the lake there were gadwall, pochard, shoveler, tufted, wigeon, teal, as well as several grey heron, great-crested grebe, cormorant, moorhen and more than 100 coot.
Other interesting sightings were goldfinch, long-tailed tit, common sandpiper, jay, 3 little grebe, grey wagtail, green woodpecker and 2 kingfisher.
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards