Winter wildlife update
The recent cold spell has seen an increase in winter visitors on site today (20 Jan).
Wildlife reserve manager John Gowland said: "As I checked the water flow at the filter reedbeds, I was privileged with great views of a male merlin sitting on one of the new fence posts between the reedbed habitat and White Meadow. The bird then flew off into the woodland behind the flamingo pen. Around the same time, a flock of approximately 30 siskin could be seen in Hollowood.
- A mistle thrush eating berries.
"Our resident pair of mistle thrush has been trying to fend off other hungry thrush species from the heavily-laden berry tree (cotoneaster bush) at Hunter’s Creek.
"Bullfinch numbers are still down from previous winters (milder winter so far or the national decline in bullfinch numbers having an impact?) but today has seen the best count so far this year, with 32 bullfinch at Hawthorn Wood feeding station."
For the latest news about wildlife on our site, please visit the sightings web page at http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/washington/latest-sightings or follow us on Twitter @WWTWashington.
