At long last our penduline tit decided to reveal itself to a few lucky observers. I first heard the bird on 11 October and it has taken up until this Wednesday for anyone to see it properly enough to fully confirm identification and what's more is that there are actually two birds present. They both flew into view on reedmace stems in front of fen hide for a total of ten seconds and have not been seen since, despite extensive searching by the masses. I am very pleased that they have finally decided to show themselves, however they are by no means easy to see at all. Penduline tits are native to the majority of Europe but only occur in the UK in very small numbers each winter, I believe when it was first heard it was just the second reported this year in the country, so quite a rarity! I hope to attach a photo of these next week, (for now the photo is the second best rarity of the week)
While trying to see the penduline tits the hopeful observers managed to get good flight views of bittern, bearded tit and water pipits as well as the marsh harriers swooping over the reedbed. An otter appeared with her two cubs in front of reception on Wednesday and a single dog otter at the same location yesterday, pleasing many visitors including Dawn our new staff member who finally connected with her first otter . Kingfishers have also been seen around the reserve in the usual places, they are searching for the best fishing places as the water levels are still up and down due to flushing salt from the fresh water habitat.
As hoped last week the easterly winds have produced the first sightings of taiga bean geese, just two were seen on Wednesday at Cantley with the 87 white fronted geese. I hope more will arrive over the next week as it is starting to cool down rapidly on the continent now. Also on the marshes at Cantley was the reserves 3rd record of brent goose, this common coastal goose is a very rare wanderer inland. The brent was quite happy feeding with up to 450 Canada geese, its size difference was very noticeable.1100 lapwing, 350 golden plover, 1000 pink footed geese, 1250 wigeon and a pair of stonechats were also present at Buckenham.
The next week should see more winter birds such as fieldfare, redwing and brambling coming across from the continent, hopefully an increase in taiga bean goose numbers and general wildfowl in the area. The first few waxwings of autumn have started to appear on the coast now so check the berry bushes in your gardens, towns, cities and of course along sandy wall.