I have been waiting patiently over the last few weeks to observe the migration of passerines over the reserve. That patience has been rewarded over the last two weekends. Small groups of between five and ten Meadow Pipits have been regularly sighted over Flora Field, along with smaller numbers of Pied Wagtails and a few Swallows. The peak time seems to be in the first couple of hours after daybreak and the best place to observe this is on Aldcliffe Road, a few yards to the right of the reserve entrance as you’re looking from the road. This seems to be the spot where the majority of the birds pass directly overhead. Vying for attention over the last two weeks has been a group of three Roe Deer seen in Flora Field, presumably a female and two juveniles. Elsewhere on the reserve, the first Snipe of the autumn have been seen on West Field pond.
- Alongside the passerines, other species seen overhead at Flora Field include a Cormorant and Sparrowhawk on 27th September and 8 Greylag Geese flying east on 4th October. Jays have also been busy in this period with several sightings around the reserve. A Moorhen was calling from Flora Ponds on 27th.
- West Field Pond has had a maximum of 4 Teal (4th) when the first Snipe of the autumn were also seen, two birds being observed on the muddy bank at the back of the pool. 2 Moorhens were also seen on 27th.
- 6+ Long-tailed Tits were in the orchard on 4th. Another group of 6+ were seen along the track to the west of Pony Wood on 27th.
- A Grey Heron was seen over Big Meadow on 27th where a Sparrowhawk was circling overhead. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing in the reedbed behind Hay Meadow on 4th.
- Along the canal, up to 17 Mallards were seen by Ripley Field. Up to 6 Moorhen were present along the canal and two adult Mute Swans were present on 4th with two fully-grown cygnets.