Monday 26th April 2010 - Evening Visit

An evening visit to the reverve produced the following observations by Tim Twiggs:


Reed Bunting in bushes on bank of Red River ditch by Sandsifter and 2 Reed Warbler there. A Peregrine flew over main pool  and 3 Northern Wheatear (1 male) - pair(?) to left of main track before fenced area by concrete blocks and second female in area between main pool and road. 8+ Swallow - only had single birds recently so a small influx? Moorhen - an adult with a single very young chick and Gadwall - male still on main pool.

Todays Sightings

Spent an hour and a half on the reserve this evening in the cold and squally showers in the hope of a Whiskered Tern dropping in! No such luck but i did count six male and five female Wheatear around the ponds. A Fulmar flew over the north end and out to sea and there were five Whimbrel on the beach. Birds of prey were evident with the Buzzard pair constantly around, a Peregrine flew over and a superb male Sparrowhawk shot across the main pool and alighted on the northernmost bank, the Sand Martins remained totally oblivious!

September visits at a glance...

Two Little Stints were reported on the 14th September (RBA) and six were recorded on the 22nd along with four Yellow Wagtails and three Wheatear. Other waders included Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Four Sanderling were flying around the main pool on the 24th and a Peregrine flew over. (from J.H.Johns and D.Jenkins)