Sightings on the reserve – September 2025

I think it’s fair to say that both Stuart and I were somewhat apprehensive about conducting the bird survey on a day when the weather forecast was one of rain all day with winds gusting to 40mph.  Alas, when we arrived it was dry, with minimal wind but an overcast sky. A wonderful start with c45 House Martins circling overhead.   Apart from plentiful Corvids the fields and Glamping area adjacent to the carpark were devoid of birds! As we headed towards the Reserve two Red Kites flew over and we had a very faint view of the sun! Perhaps the forecasters had got it all wrong, no chance!

We started at Mill Pond where the highlights were a male and female Mandarin (non-collection). After counting all the other birds we were going to do an anti-clockwise circuit until the heavens opened.  Keen to push on we decided that the Wader Scrape Hides were probably the nearest refuge.

En-route we spotted another female Mandarin on Dark Mere. By the time we arrived at the Wader Scrape the winds had picked up and the rain was coming into the hides with some force.  Visibility had reduced making counting the birds very tricky! However, we managed to record some nice birds including: Great White Egret, Common Sandpiper (2), Green Sandpiper (3), Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Common Snipe (7).

Makin Mere was relatively quiet apart from a Grey Heron which floated past!  With the rain still heavy we decided to try and get some cover and diverted to the Woodland Hide.  On arrival, the feeders were initially really quiet but thankfully the weather picked up and birds started to appear. Juvenile Bluetit were joined by Marsh Tit (no rings), Coal Tit, Robin, a male Blackbird and numerous Chaffinch. The sun broke through and we heard a Common Buzzard calling overhead which eventually perched in a tree in the field  opposite the hide.

On the way to Lake Hide a Jay called (not seen). Conditions had much improved by the time we reached Old Squaw but alas there was nothing of note bird wise.

From the Wetland Hide we saw a further three Green Sandpipers along with two Ruff, a lone female Mandarin and a cracking adult Water Rail.

At the Farmland Hide Stuart had a fleeting view of another House Martin.  The feeders were quiet with just a few Tits and a Dunnock foraging.  There were no birds at all in the field or along the hedgerow.

Finishing up at Moon water we noted a selection of Gulls including: Common, Herring, Black-Headed and Lesser Black Back.

We just made it back to the café for a well-earned coffee before the rain started again!

Despite the conditions it was a great day in cracking company.

Howard Cooper (report), Stuart Malone (bird count)

Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society

Photo by Phil Robson.