On Sunday 28th two harbour porpoise were reported loafing off Ecclesbourne Glen as well as 7 eider. Also reported around the nature reserve were 2 chiffchaff, hawfinch, 9 redwing, 27 song thrush and a fieldfare. A distant red kite was also reported from the helipad car park.
Also in recent weeks a barn owl has been reported hunting near the barn owl boxes and 2 raven have been regularly seen feeding on the farm fields.
At the Long Pit, in amongst hundreds of Tufted Duck and Pochard there was a duck that at first appeared to be a Ferruginous Duck. It was right over the back and the weather was gloomy so photos are rather poor! A second look suggested that it is a hybrid Pochard x Ferruginous Duck. Also on the Long Pit, the Black-necked Grebe was still present, as were eight Goldeneye (three drakes) while at the Narrow Pits, two Long-eared Owl were roosting in trees at the left-hand end of the pit.
Highlights included,1500+ roosting Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, 3 Scaup, Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher. Two Little Owl showed well perched on fence posts at the southern end of the main pit. A Peregrine and Marsh Harrier made several appearances which caused some disturbance.
Six Coprinus species have been recorded on the Nature Reserve, all have been at Castle Water. Today a huge group of Glistening Inkcap (Coprinus micaceus) was found on and around the base of a rotting Willow. This is a common species, but has only been found at two locations at Castle Water.
Smew were seen on Burrowes pit and the New Excavaitions. Goosander were also seen on Burrowes pit.
Three ruff flew over Denge marsh early in the morning and a goldcrest and a singing corn butniting were spotted on the bridle track.
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A walk across public footpaths on Walland Marsh on Sunday 28th January in a fairly cool wind produced a number of interesting species: literally thousands of Lapwing and Golden Plover, large flocks of Pintail, Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler, a flock of about 70 White-fronted Geese also included a few Greylag Geese and one Egyptian Goose. A small flock of Greylags in flight were joined by two Snow Geese, while six Bewick Swans flew over honking.
Highlights from early this morning, 264 Curlew were roosting on Flat Beach, 87Â Corn Bunting were counted inflight over Lime Kiln Cottage and a Merlin was seen near Ternery Pool.