With 60mm of rain falling in just 4 days last week you can imagine that the marsh is looking extremely soggy right now! I have really noticed the wildfowl numbers starting to increase. A passing Marsh Harrier sent hundreds of Teal up into the air today from off the reservoir. It was an amazing sight.
Winter wader numbers are also on the increase, Lapwing and Golden Plovers can be seen in the fields along with Grey Plovers and Curlew. With all the rain and high water levels at the moment waders are sometimes difficult to see but the pools on the flood are being used by Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Little Stints.
Yellow Wagtail numbers have dwindled right down now with just the odd one still being seen, the same with Wheatears and Whinchats.
Some visitors with very keen eyesight spotted our Long Eared Owl over the weekend. We normally see up to 2 that regularly roost in the Orchard at Kingshill Farm. These birds are not always easy to see so a lot of patience and luck combined is needed! Please don’t be tempted to walk into or around the orchard to get better views as this is only likely to disturb them and may cause them to abandon their roost.