Season’s Greetings to you all,
On an unseasonally warm, but somewhat grey morning, yesterday, Mike and I went out to finish off the Wetland Bird Count (WeBS). There had been a shortage of volunteers to cover all the reserve on the traditional day, Sunday. Walking up the Heronry Trail, we found ourselves serenaded by the song thrush. As soon as one thrush quietened down, the next one started its distinctive song, characterized by the repetition of short, loud musical phrases. This is a bird that starts singing in late Autumn to practise setting up its territory. Many of these birds are only here only for the winter and will migrate back to northern Europe in Spring. I wish more would stay. We’ve not had one in the garden for a few years now.
However, a bird we have had in the garden recently is a blackcap feeding on the white berries of one of our dogwoods. I didn’t expect them to be very tasty, but it kept coming back for more! This bird have been heard singing on the reserve in the last week, as well as chiffchaff. Perhaps, Spring isn’t that far away.
Overall, over 1400 wetland birds were counted on this WeBS, showing what a superb refuge the reserve is for wildlife. Half of these birds were tufted ducks. Also, good numbers of pochard, gadwall, wigeon and a bird Martin is particularly pleased about…126 common gull. This is a bird now red listed due to climate change, lack of food and the bird flu. Maybe it is on the increase again.
Some of our ducks, such as gadwall and wigeon enjoy grazing in fields by water. As the reserve’s lakes are mainly surrounded by trees, they appear to have adopted a different method of feeding called kleptoparasitism. This is a feeding strategy where one animal steals food that another has already gathered. In this case, they follow the diving ducks, such as coot, which bring the food up to the surface. Amazing that the normally feisty coots do not seem to be too concerned about their food being pinched!
2 female marsh harriers were also seen. Interestingly, by different surveyors in different areas. So, was it the same harrier?! As more marsh harriers are staying in the UK for winter, it is quite likely they are here for the season. It would be even more wonderful if they stay and breed in our increasing reed beds. Other notable birds recorded were Egyptian geese, 6 snipe and kingfisher.
When you are out and about on the reserve I do suggest sitting for a while at the newly positioned Cobham Hide on the Haul Road. The sightings there have been numerous and various. Kingfisher, marsh harrier and only 2 days ago, a visitor took super photos of an otter looking at him and then diving down and bringing up a fish. I’ve also seen otter on Rudd Lake recently.
The mild weather has meant many plants are still in flower. It will be interesting to see what there is on the 1st January Walk here on the reserve. Please come and join us. See Facebook for more details.
We have had plenty of rain, so look out for fungi on any rotting wood. The low sunlight at this time of year, in somewhere like Rory’s Wood, brings out the textures and shapes of these fungi. Also have a closer look at lichen. The Japanese language has a specific word for this lighting, which translates to “sunlight leaking through trees”. What a wonderful description!
I always welcome your wildlife sightings at Paxton Pits and if you’d like to share them, please contact me on friends@paxton-pits.org.uk .
Best wishes for 2026
Ann Thomas
Thanks to Ann Miles for her image of the Marsh Harrier at Cobham Hide
Thank you Ann for everything you do. I hope your new year is a very happy one
Sue