Well our first week since the refurbishment and the feedback as been positive with many people liking the new changes to the visitor centre. Our live feed cameras have also been a big hit with the visitors allowing people to see in great detail, the various wildlife that come to visit. This week's visitors have seen lots of Long-tailed tits, Marsh, Blue and Great tit as well as Robins and Blackbird's. One bird that did surprise us was a Pheasant!
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| Pheasant on the feeder cam helping himself. |
Birds are not the only visitors to the feeder cam.
The mammal cam is also proving to be a hit with the mice on the reserve. This video catches one mouse 'springing' a surprise on another mouse.
Many of you via social media have asked if we will be streaming the live cams to the web. Unfortunately, the rural internet at Lackford is not fast enough to support this, so the cameras are only streamed into the centre at present. An excuse if you ever needed one to come and visit us.
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| Squirrel getting in on the action. |
Many of you via social media have asked if we will be streaming the live cams to the web. Unfortunately, the rural internet at Lackford is not fast enough to support this, so the cameras are only streamed into the centre at present. An excuse if you ever needed one to come and visit us.
Keeping the food fresh
It is most important, especially at this time of year with overnight temperatures falling below 0ºC, that our wildlife gets the food it requires to survive. Feeders tend to get damp at the bottom causing the food to go stale and not very favourable to eat. So make sure your feeders are cleaned out regularly and topped up with fresh food. All of our feeders at the centre are filled with the very same food that we sell, so if in doubt about whether the birds will like the food you're about to buy them, come down to Lackford and see our range of food. Each of our feeders are filled with different varieties and you can see for yourself which one is the most popular with the birds.
Sightings
Goldeneye have been displaying out on the sailing lake this week. Goosander, Pintail, Teal and Tufted ducks are still scattered across the reserve. A new sighting this week of a Caspian Gull on the sailing lake around 4.30 pm when the gulls come into roost. Also amongst the many gulls was this Yellow-legged Gull.
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| Yellow-legged Gull © Nick Moran (via Twitter) |
Water rail was spotted at Bess' hide yesterday (Saturday) and Otters were also spotted at Steggall's by two new visitors to the lakes. Needless to say, they went home very happy. Snipe have also been visible at Bess' and Steggall's hides. The Bittern is also on the reserve at the Double decker hide and at Steggall's. Siskin were also spotted on the path to Steggall's and Tree Creeper's at Ash Carr.
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| Snipe © Rich Berry (via Twitter) |
Kingfisher, Marsh and Long-tailed tits and the occasional Sparrowhawk are still to be seen from the visitor centre. Bullfinches and Tree Sparrows have been spotted on the Church walk towards Lackford village. Brambling has also been spotted on the reserve and a picture of this can be seen on our Facebook page
If you arrive at the reserve and you're wondering where the sightings board has gone, during our opening hours, the board is moved inside to sit next to our new interactive map so you can see where the birds were spotted. Please don't be afraid to venture on in, muddy boots are not a problem and we don't bite and you will be given a warm welcome by our friendly staff.
The challenge!
Yes, we have a challenge for all you budding photographers. Over the next few months, we'll be setting you a new challenge, this month we want photos of ducks on the reserve, but not just any old duck sitting there, that's far too easy. We want pictures of ducks in action! Whether they be flying, feeding, landing we want your pictures. Unfortunately, we can't offer you any prizes, this is just for fun. But the best photos will be displayed here on the blog at the end of the month when the new challenge is set. You can also post your photos to our Twitter (@SWTLackfordLake) or our Facebook page here using the hashtag #LackfordPhotoChallenge
Naturally Art
There are still places left on our Naturally Art workshop for 5-10 year olds of all abilities on the 7th February 10-12pm. £4 per child and booking is essential, call 01284 728706
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| Having fun at Naturally Art |
That's it for this week, don't forget, we want to see those photos #LackfordPhotoChallenge
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