Witches Oak Water sighting reported by Vic Bevan

Witches Oak Water sighting reported by Vic Bevan

Great Crested Grebe have bred late on the reserve.

A busy morning on the reserve, cooler than of late with a light NW wind. Water levels remain low with lots of muddy margin, and large areas of exposed mud on Lake 9. Waders of note included a juvenile Ringed Plover, 60 Lapwing, 5 Green Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpiper. Also of note were new maximum counts for the reserve of 18 Grey Heron, 57 Cormorant, 185 Canada Goose, and 142 Gadwall. Great Crested Grebe have bred late on the reserve but a there are now at least 3 broods with a further pair still sitting on 3 eggs. Additional there were one Tufted Duck, two Moorhen, two Coot and one Gadwall brood. A Water Shrew was found dead near Lake 12, with a dead Mole near Lake 4. Waterbird counts were 25 Great Crested Grebe, 57 Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, 18 Grey Heron, 25 Mute Swan, 185 Canada Goose, 1 Wigeon, 142 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 60 Mallard, 303 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 8 Moorhen, 70 Coot, 1 Ringed Plover, 60 Lapwing, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Kingfisher, 150 Black-headed Gull and 2 Common Tern. Only 2 Cetti’s Warbler were calling.