Similar to last year the Starling numbers on the reserve have suddenly started to increase with a minimum of 10,000 coming into roost on Pit No.1. On bright days they tend to come in late, early on cloudy ones. even these relatively 'small' numbers are impressive!

Since the last blog peak counts of wildfowl have included 112 Teal, 63 Wigeon, 93 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 20+ Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard (a good count) 6+ Goldeneye including an adult male, regular Goosanders and on the 5th a Red-breasted Merganser (see below). It's great to hear and see some of the ducks calling and displaying, particularly the whistling Teal.

On the wader front counts have included 50+ Lapwing, 10+ Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Curlew.

Lots of work occurring around the reserve to remove willow scrub and improve habitats. Without constant work open wetland spaces turn into woodlands. The work on the North East bank of Pit No.1 has provided a safe space for wintering wildfowl and new spits should make it a wader hot spot during spring migration.

Other reports have included Red Kite, 4+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk. Up to 5 Little Egret and 3 Little Grebe have been present, also 3+ Kingfisher and 118 Coot!

Pink-footed Geese regularly move over the reserve with 35 SW on the 9th December, also 3 Whooper Swan recently.

Flocks of roving Redwing have been around.

The Belted Kingfisher was seen briefly from the position of the old weir on the reserve on the 7th December by a good observer.

An unconfirmed report via the bird news services of Goshawk on the 30th November.

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.