Witches Oak Water sighting reported by Rod Key

Witches Oak Water sighting reported by Rod Key

Water levels on the Reserve continue to drop.

Another beautiful hot morning with a light NE wind, force 2 and good vis and light. Water levels on the Reserve continue to drop especially on Pit 9 where up to 15 Little Egrets were to be found along with a Green Sandpiper,18 Common Terns and 11 Grey Herons. A single cygnet accompanied its parents on Pit 9 the first young Swans I have had here this year. Totals were 6 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Cormorants, 15 Little Egrets, 11 Grey Herons, 14 Mute Swans, 6 Canada Geese, 16 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 10 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, c125 Black Headed Gulls, 18 Common Terns, 1 Blackbird, 1 Cettis Warbler and 2 Blackcaps. Elsewhere on site was an eclipse drake Shoveler and 84 Tufted Duck as numbers start to build up. Butterflies were everywhere with at least 19 Small Whites, 17 Large Whites, 4 Speckled Woods, 7 Gatekeepers, 10 Meadow Browns, 3 Ringlets and 4 Small Skippers, up to 4 Brown Hawkers and single Broad Bodied Chasers and Black Tailed Skimmers along with a few Damselflies were noted.