Friday 23rd April 2010 - Todays Sightings

A superb sunny day on the reseve with endless blue skies tempting at least four Buzzards and two Kestrels into soaring around. Dunlins had increased to six birds on the unfenced Pool with a Ringed Plover in tow. It wasn't long before an inconsiderate dog walker had flushed them all onto the gated pools. Thank God for fencing!!
Hirundine numbers were lower today but this was compensated for by the first Swift of the year, which flew south. A drake Gadwall was on the main pool and five 'singing' Whimbrel alighted there briefly before flying off towards the beach. Six House Sparrows were in bushes around the main pool opposite Sandsifter and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Red River ditch. Suprisingly, not a single Wheatear was seen. Other birds included Chiffchaff (3), Song Thrush (2), BH Gull (2), Magpie (2), Shelduck (10+), Canada Goose (3), Mute Swan (1), Moorhen, Mallard (8), Skylark (4), Linnet (6+) and Pied Wagtail.

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)