Happy New Year to you all out there. Getting out into nature has never felt more important during the last 12 months or so.
Plenty to report starting with a Bonxie (Great Skua) which briefly flew onto the reserve on the 11th December causing great consternation among the gulls. A powerful coastal predator it's only the second record for Brockholes.
Just about managed to phonescope the Bonxie as it circled round Pit No.1
A Bittern is back wintering on the reserve. An annual occurrence of late. Currently it's been seen on Meadow Lake, patiences required. In some years they can fly around the reserve visiting different reed patches.
Bittern on Meadow Lake - Bill Aspin
The Belted Kingfisher has relocated onto the River Darwen at Roach Bridge making it much easier to see to the delight of many, what a bird and an amazing record for Brockholes.
Excellent wildfowl numbers with counts including 205 Teal, 82 Wigeon, 58 Mallard, 103 Gadwall, 27 Shoveler, 35 Tufted Duck, 11 Goldeneye, 5 Pochard, 15 Mute Swan, $ Goosander and small numbers of Canada Goose and Greylag. A handful of Whooper Swan and hundreds of Pink-footed Geese also on passage over the reserve. At least 7 Grey Heron, 100 Coot and small numbers of Moorhen. Water Rail are around, mostly heard not seen. One or two Little Egret around and a Great White Egret on the Ribble on the 19th December.
Always a delight to see Lapwing a British breeding bird under threat.
Over 200 Lapwing have been present and an impressive 100+ Snipe, the latter mostly on Meadow Lake, there is likely to be Jack Snipe there too. Other waders included 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Redshank.
The usual raptors 2 Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Peregrine 28th.
The Starling murmuration is still in action with 10,000+ birds coming into roost at the back of Pit No.1
At least two Cetti's Warbler occasionally seen. A male Brambling was ringed on the 27th, the first to be ringed at Brockholes. A Blackcap was also ringed on the 19th December. Both Redwing and Fieldfare are sometimes present. Other sightings included Redpoll, Siskin, Bullfinch, Jay, Stonchat.
Male Brambling, the first to be ringed at Brockholes - Hugh Jones.
A big thank you to everyone who has reported any sightings to us this year. Great work by Lorna, Tom and the conservation team improving the habitat around the reserve. Special thanks to Bill Aspin, Tom Darby, John Wright and Hugh Jones and all the volunteers who drop in to see us in the Lookout.
If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what is around and where the best spots might be or have something to report, feel free to drop into the in focus shop, based in the Lookout and we can point you in the right direction.
