RXwildlife Sightings

The best sightings of the day came from the ARC pit where the first red-throated diver of the winter made an appearance, along with a red-crested pochard and a Slavonian grebe. Two peregrines could be seen perched on the power station, and the bittern put in an appearance from the viewing ramp, being seen on both Wednesday and Thursday. Despite the high water levels oystercatchers were making the most of the calm weather with a group of five birds circling burrowes pit and displaying over Denge Marsh, a reminder that spring is just around the corner!

Highlights from Castle Water this morning, 5 Long-eared Owls (pictured) were present at the roost, four birds could be photographed three can be seen in the top picture and one in the bottom picture. Wildfowl on the main pit and the new excavations included, 12 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 114 Gadwall, 137 Teal, 84 Shoveler and 108 Wigeon. Two Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher and at least 6 Bearded Tit were present around the viewpoint mid morning. The Shore Lark is still showing well around the Red Roofed Hut. Highlights from the Beach Reserve during the week have been, Merlin, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, 54 Shelduck and 41 Snipe. Offshore highlights have included, 172 Red-throated Diver, 95 Great Crested Grebe, 400 Common Scoter and 2 Velvet Scoter. There was a Bittern at the Narrow Pits.