RXwildlife Sightings

Sunday and Monday 14th and 15th Feb 2010. Tide up on both days,but only high tide on Monday, most of the pools were frozen by Monday, with only the birds keeping the water free from being frozen. Wigoen have built up to 1500/2000, increase of most dubberling ducks, with Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard in much larger numbers, the only duck down in numbers were Teal with only 60. Its nice seeing Pintail with six to be seen, but you have to look for them, because normally their roosting under the bank on the back of the third pool ( moving east). There were 40 Brent, 12 W.F.Geese on the marsh along with the usual Canada’s and Gray Lags. On Sunday in the bay, at last there were some Common Scoter on the sea, with 60 just off Winchelsea Beach. G.C.Grebe seem to be spliting up or pairing up, because the numbers have dwindled away. I had the largest numbers of Tufted Duck, I’ve seen with 66 on one pool. Waders are still in good numbers, with addition of 2 Knot, 1Ruff, 6 Golden Plover, 1Ring Plover. Also of note 1 Goldeneye on the sea, and a adult Kittiwake on the pools. Good watching Pete.

Highlights from Castle Water hide this morning included 5 Bittern, 8 Pintail, 230 Shoveler, 2 Marsh Harrier, Chiffchaff and a party of Long-tailed Tit which gave close views infront of the hide. Good numbers of Gadwall and Teal were present on the main pit, while at least 400 Wigeon frequented the grassy banks on the new excavations.

 Long-tailed Tit from the hide.

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Following a bit of a thaw the reserve is now fully open. There are still one or two icy patches on the access track but these can be avoided.

Highlights yesterday included: six red-head and one drake smew, eight goosanders, two Slavonian and three black-necked grebes, a red-throated diver and bittern.