Witches Oak Water sightings by Vic Bevan

Witches Oak Water sightings by Vic Bevan

31 goldeneye and 34 snipe added to some great spots this weekend.

Water levels on the River Trent were significantly higher than last week, and consequently so were water levels on the reserve. The highlight was again 3 Smew although this time 1 male and 2 redheads. Goldeneye numbers had increased to 31, and a new reserve record of 34 Snipe were disturbed from the Lake 11 reedbed. Full counts were 3 Little Grebe, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Cormorant, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Shelduck, 92 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 63 Teal, 15 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 94 Tufted Duck, 31 Goldeneye, 3 Smew, 3 Moorhen, 30 Coot, 80 Lapwing, 34 Snipe, 170 Black-headed Gull, and 2 Common Gull. A Fox was again on the access tracks.