Birds

Since recording began in 1965, a total of 216 species has occurred, about 130 of which are recorded annually. More uncommon species, seen on occasion are Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Smew and Little Gull. Previous rarities include Pacific Diver in 2007, Long-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Sandpiper and White-winged Tern. Black-necked Grebe has bred successfully.

Whooper Swans and skeins of Pink-footed Geese may be seen on passage during both migration seasons. If weather conditions are conducive in spring, passage birds may include Sanderling, Godwits, Whimbrel and Turnstone, Arctic and Black Terns and Osprey. Good numbers of Passerines move through in late summer with Common Redstart, Warblers, and Spotted Flycatchers; various species of Waders may also be seen at this time. Fourteen species of raptor have been recorded with Montagu’s Harrier in 2010; Red Kite and Common Buzzard are seen daily and breed nearby. Hobby is a regular visitor in summer and Peregrine Falcon in winter.

Around 43 species breed annually including Little and Great Crested Grebes, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern; up to 78 pairs of Sand Martins breed in the artificial wall. There are seven species of warbler breeding on site – Sedge Warbler, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers can be seen throughout the year.

A feeding station is maintained during the winter months, attracting Great Spotted Woodpeckers, various Tits, Finches, Buntings and up to 60 Tree Sparrows. At this time both lakes hold a variety of waterfowl including Little Grebe, Greylag and Greater Canada Geese, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye and a few Goosanders. If there are no yachts on theNorthLake, large numbers of several species of gull collect there in late afternoons before going off to roost nearby during autumn and winter months; Icelandand Glaucous Gulls have been recorded on both lakes in these gatherings. Many Common Snipe visit the islands in winter and the occasional Jack Snipe can be seen. In some years, an occasional Diver, the more unusual grebes and Smew have occurred.