Recent Sightings

January 2010

The run of good numbers of waterfowl on the reserve continued into the New Year as the cold snap persisted into January. For instance, a count at Castle Water on 5th of the month found 900 Wigeon, 730 Teal, 400 Mallard, 325 Gadwall and 290 Shoveler concentrated in the relatively small areas of open water, while Long Pit held 275 Pochard on the 7th and 144 Tufted Duck on the 5th.

Cold weather also tends to bring an increase in Bittern (below) sightings, and this month was no exception, with up to six recorded, while Smew, one of our most notable winter ducks, were regular with a maximum of eight on the 26th. Other typically winter species included Goosander on a couple of dates (with three on the 8th), the occasional Red-breasted Merganser, up to 34 Pintail, a maximum of eight Goldeneye and up to five Scaup.

Still a few Golden Plover around during January, with up to 260 on Harbour Farm on the 8th, though the bulk probably moved south and west as the cold weather bit, while Lapwing numbers peaked at 1000 on the 23rd and Curlew at around 664 on the 8th. On the shore maxima were 170 Dunlin, 90 Sanderling (below), 134 Knot, 29 Ringed Plover and 36 Grey Plover, while a maximum of 36 Ruff were present on Castle Farm on the 5th. An influx of Woodcock during the early part of the month culminated in a peak of 8 birds on the 11th, while Green Sandpiper were recorded on Harbour Farm on the 15th and Castle Farm on the 27th, a Spotted Redshank was on Ternery Pool on the 30th and five Jack Snipe were flushed from Wader Pool on the 28th. In contrast to recent month, there was quite a bit of activity offshore during January, with sightings including up

to 200 Wigeon, 180 Guillemot, 150 Great Crested Grebe, 122 Red-throated Diver and 100 Brent Goose. In contrast, there was little in the way of notable passerines during January, though winter thrushes were much in evidence, with up to 330 Fieldfare and 150 Redwing recorded during the month, while Bullfinch and Bearded Tit were present near the viewpoint on the 17th, there were regular sightings of Stonechat, and up to four Rock Pipit were on the Beach Reserve. All of this activity acted as a magnet for raptors and January saw almost daily sightings of Marsh Harrier (with four on the 11th), regular Buzzard and the occasional Merlin and Peregrine. Best of the bunch however was a Red Kite which overflew Lime Kiln Cottage on the 24th (probably the same bird picked up later on that day at Pett Level). In addition, after a period with very few sightings it was nice to have several records of Barn Owl at Castle Water during January.