The last few days has seen a nice mix of species using the reserve particularly an increase in hobby sightings with one nice adult taking black tailed skimmers of Singleton lagoon yesterday just prior to the bittern flying in!
Its not a classical wader passage this year but still a nice mix of species on site with 17 spotted redshank, 3 greenshank, 7 green sandpipers, 3 ruff, little ringed plover 2 dunlin and a handful of redshank, lapwing, curlew, and snipe. Highlight has been the odd golden plover in summer plumage on marshland (see photo).
The water rails on Marshland have been fantastic with up to five birds present and also up to three bearded tits have started to show well too. Lots of beardies around Singleton lagoon this morning too.
Marsh harriers continue to show well but there are not as many around as earlier in the month as the young are starting to move away into the arable fields.
Quite a lot of smaller birds are suddenly starting to re-appear after their mid summer moult and early southward passage. Highlights have been 150 linnets roosting at Singleton, 90+ tree sparrows (including the leucistic bird), lots more goldfinch, and then reed buntings, willy warblers, sedge warblers, reed warblers, whitethroats and even the odd grasshopper warbler still reeling!
The local weasels have been entertaining with one playing hide and seek with me yesterday evening!
Golden plover above and ruff below! Photo's by Tim and Si