Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor) a small bracket fungi can be found on dead wood of every description, Castle Water is the best place for this species on the Nature Reserve. Impressive groups of fruit-bodies can be found on old Willow stumps. During the summer months the fruit-bodies dry to thin,leathery,crumpled sheets then revive and continue growth in Autumn and Winter.
Highlights this morning included, a second winter Mediterranean Gull at the River Mouth, 28 Turnstone were also present there. On Flat Beach 202 Curlew and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit were roosting, Ternery Pool attracted 45 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall and 800+ Lapwing. Along Shore Ridges, 330 Oystercatcher, 14 Grey plover and 115 Dunlin were roosting.
White-fronted Geese are up to 30 this morning, and accompanied by 9 Barnacle Geese.
Once again smew (five males and 10 red heads) and goosander (one male and two females) were seen from Scott Hide. Six goldeneye and five snipe were also reported.
At Narrow Pit two Long-eared Owl were showing well mid-morning in willows at the left hand end of the pool, while a Kingfisher was also present here. At Long Pit, a Black-necked Grebe was present at the western end of the pit (viewable from the path to the Wood) along with at least four Goldeneye (two drakes), 206 Pochard and 125 Tufted Duck, while a single Cetti’s Warbler was singing. A good range of waders on the shore included at least five Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover and Dunlin.
The 24 White-fronted Geese are still with the Greylags, the mixed flock also has five Brent Geese. There are many waders of the fields including 3,000+ Lapwing and  400+ Dunlin.
The sea held 150+ Common Scoter and a handful of Great Crested Grebe. The only flyby of note was a single un-oiled Guillemot heading west.
A single Marsh Harrier patrolled the back of the Levels and 195 Wigeon were on the most easterly lake.
(Pete Rouse also reported 600 Curlew, 10 Ruff, 32 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 27 Wf Geese, 85 Greylags, just 10 Canadas, 1200 Common Scoter & a Red-breasted Merganser.)
A bittern was showing well for a good part of the day from Christmas Dell hide. A white-fronted goose was seen amongst some greylag geese from Denge Marsh hide where a merlin and marsh harrier were also seen. Smew and goosander are still providing good views from Scott hide and curlew and snipe were seen from Makepeace hide.
The Yellow Brain fungus (Tremella mesenterica) was first recorded on the Nature Reserve at Castle Water in january 2006. So far it has only been found in the Gorse scrub at the southern end of the main pit, a check this morning found several clumps. The best clumps were growing on dead Gorse branches amongst the leaf litter, were they had had better protection from the frost over the past few days.
From the viewpoint at Castle Water, at least 4 Bearded Tit were present and gave good views in the morning sunshine, 2 Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler and Water Rail were also seen or heard. On the main pit 3 Scaup, drake Smew, 4 Pintail good numbers of Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal and Gadwall. In the srub at the southern end 2 Bullfinch, Goldcrest and a party of 8 Long-tailed Tit. A check for Long-eared Owl at Narrow Pit found one roosting.
A bittern was again seen from Christmas Dell hide. Smew and goosander were visible from Scott hide and marsh harrier was reported.
We are pleased to announce that track re-surfacing has been completed.