Say cheese!

Well the unseasonal weather continues here at Lackford with butterflies and dragonflies still being seen. Our Goosander numbers are slowly increasing from 2 last week, they are now up to 6 and are often found on Slough, Steggall's or the sailing lake. It's best to check first at the centre for their location when you arrive. Goldeneye's have also arrived at the reserve and hopefully many more will not be far behind.

Goldeneye at Sailing lake and Bess'

Our usual array of ducks have been showing well too along with a few wigeon too. Snipe are still visible at Steggall's despite the building of the new hide.

Looking away from the water and into the trees and bushes the smaller birds have been seen and heard. Cettis Warblers have been heard along some of the paths and Bullfinches have been seen flitting amongst the trees and bushes throughout the reserve including the car park. On the feeders we have a newcomer in the shape of a Coal tit.

Coal tit showing its distinctive white crest stripe.

The Marsh tits are still visiting the feeders regularly and provide entertainment for those watching and waiting for the Kingfisher on the Centre pond, which still turns up frequently.

Marsh tit.

A Fieldfare was spotted on the berry bush in front of the centre this weekend and Redwings are in abundance around the reserve. Also being spotted in varying flock sizes from a couple to around 50, are Siskin's.

Siskin

In the evenings near dusk we have been seeing a small (~100) starlings beginning to gather and beginning to start a rather small murmuration. We can only hope that as time goes on, this flock will grow bigger and bigger.

Other wildlife

The stoat is still being spotted at various parts around the site including the centre where it can often be seen running past the observation windows to much excitement to those watching on.

For the past 2 weeks, we've had a trail cam set up on the reserve to catch whatever may pass in front of it and wow did we catch some wildlife. First up to take advantage of the scattered peanuts we had laid down as bait was a Rabbit.

Rabbit caught early evening.

Then there was the Muntjac

Muntjac just passing through

Then the morning came and with it a curious Jay

A Jay eyes up and possibly wonders how did those peanuts get there?

Maybe it's got something to do with this camera on a tree?

The rabbit was back again

Found another peanut nom nom nom...

Then something a little bit smaller and always a favourite in any garden, a hedgehog.

Hedgehog making a hasty retreat after eating his fill.

Then last, but not least, we captured what we were hoping to get

Badger!

Nom nom nom

So good

So the trail cam got some lovely images and hopefully we'll get some more in the future, watch this space.

In other news

The hide construction at Steggall's is coming on very well and many visitors have been saying how excited they are for its completion.

Flooring in place

Volunteers get to work

A well deserved tea break.

Our Winter Book Fair is also on this weekend, so come on down and grab yourself a bargain!

All those lovely books looking for a new home

Photos please

There are many good photographers that visit our reserve and we really want to see and share your photos please. So if you want to showcase your work on our blog, please get in touch.

Also don't forget, you can follow us on Twitter (@SWTLackfordLake) and on Facebook too!