A Bittern was seen again in the Deep Pit. It was giving good views, right out in the open, as did a Water Rail. Up to eight Golden-eye were also seen and eight Goosander flew over. Later a Woodcock was seen flying into the Deep Pit. PS.
There is an unconfirmed report of a Lesser Scaup being seen on the site today.
A Bittern was seen again in the Deep Pit (RW). It was seen a couple of times, walking on the ice and flying between reed beds. Perhaps they will stay for the winter.
Two Little Egrets were seen in the Ouse Dyke (RD).
BBC Local news today published a article about Bitterns at Attenborough Nature Reserve.
To read the article, click here.
AE
This afternoon in the welcome sunlight particularly good views of a Bittern were obtained as it flew to and fro across the Deep Pit and then walked out in the open at the edge of the reeds on the south side. A Little Egret was then spotted on the side of the track beyond the Fat Hen Field and when disturbed it flew just on to the site at the eastern corner. AE & RW.
Also seen was an over-wintering Chiffchaff along the Ouse Dyke. JMD.
Two Bitterns were found today in the Deep Pit, one giving prolonged views as it crouched within a reedbed, and a Cetti’s Warbler was seen flying from the Deep Pit towards the Haven. The triangular field at the Deep Pit’s northern end which is full of seeding Fat Hen has a flock of approx. 20 Reed Buntings and contains some Tree Sparrows. PS.
The Bittern was seen in the Deep Pit again this afternoon and flew to the same reed bed to roost. A Snipe was also seen and a Chiffchaff. RW.
The Deep Pit was the most productive area at the lagoons this afternoon, with a second winter Iceland Gull staying for about an hour amongst the other Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. A Bittern was also showing well for most of the afternoon, on and off, and was eventually seen going to roost in a reed bed. Several Water Rail were seen running across the ice and as dusk approached several more were heard calling. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly singing and later another was calling. A good selection of ducks was present, with large numbers of Teal. RW.
On the causeway this morning a Bittern flew overhead from the Deep Pit and landed in the reed bed near the eastern corner of the Slurry Lagoon. AE.