Tag Archives: 19th October

Bearded Reedling – 19th October

This morning there was a massive passage of Fieldfares and Redwings, with hundreds flying overhead. Also seen were a Red Kite and a Raven. On the Slurry Lagoon a Dunlin appeared, and the Pintail and Garganey were still present and a single Bearded Reedling was seen flying twice across in front of the Causeway bench. PS.

In the afternoon a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was on the Slurry Lagoon and a male and female Bearded Reedling showed down to a few metres. Later on a juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen hunting the Slurry Lagoon. MC.

Bearded Reedling – male – MC.
Bearded Reedling – female – MC.

Mandarin – 19th October

This evening, whilst watching about 5,000 Starlings come in to roost, a strange looking duck came in with a squadron of Grey-lag Geese. It stayed with the flock as they flew over and was still with them when they returned to land on the Slurry Lagoon.  Looking through a scope it was clear to see it was a drake Mandarin. There were also three Snipe and up to five Water Rail, one showing quite well by the bench. Earlier a 1st winter Bearded Tit was also seen in the reed bed.   PS.

Later on the Black Swan came in to roost in the Deep Pit.   RW.

Bearded Tit – 19th October

As I stood on the Causeway this morning an explosion of pinging calls alerted me to a female Bearded Tit, nerving herself up to crossing the gap in the reeds in front of the bench. She dashed across the gap and into the reeds, pinging twice more before returning to silent running. There were also five Redwing in the corner by the metal gates and two Cetti’s Warblers were singing, one in the Deep Pit and one by the Haven. The geese were in the furthest pasture field, across the river, too far away to tell if the Ross’s Goose was still with them. PS.