Recent Sightings 4th - 9th September
Highlights: Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Wheatear, Barnacle Goose
A top sighting this week was an elegant Glossy Ibis from the Peter Scott Hide on Tuesday morning. Another impressive appearance was a Great White Egret, which joined recurring waders on Deep Water Lake such as Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, and Lapwing.
Another good spot on Deep Water Lake was a male Wheatear, seen by our Reserve Warden carrying out maintenance on the island. Another sighting in this location was a juvenile Grey Heron, which can be distinguished by its dark grey crown and grey-black nape with short plume. Adults, on the other hand, have a white forehead, a black nape and plume.
Over on the salt marsh, 2 Marsh Harriers were seen soaring on Wednesday afternoon. During the bird count on Friday morning 2 Barnacle Geese were seen foraging across the marsh, and close by at the Dafen Scrapes 2 Wigeon were having a well deserved nap. And a returning sight here was the juvenile Peregrine, which was preening next to the saline lagoon.
The much-loved, vibrant Kingfishers have been actively fishing this week around the Millennium Wetlands. The flash of blue and orange is always a welcome sight for visitors new and returning.
The rain this week is welcome, filling up our ponds, lakes, and lagoons; just in time for the canoe safaris to continue on September weekends. But the rainy weather hasn't put off the butterflies, with Speckled Wood and Red Admiral being seen throughout the Millennium Wetlands.
Hopefully we will have some more interesting sightings after our High Tide event on Saturday evening.
