Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (18th March 2018)

After the heavy snowfall on the Saturday night, I decided to spend a couple of hours at Sculthorpe Moor. The temperatures were very low, dropping down to -2°C, and with the strong winds it felt considerably colder.

View from Whitley Hide

View from boardwalk towards to Dry Wood

The birds were obviously struggling with the cold and there was an abundance of them using the feeders across the reserve, especially near the Volunteers' Hide.

Despite waiting for around 45 minutes at Victor's Hide, there was no sign of the Bittern at the back of the Scrape. It had been seen on both the Thursday and Friday, catching frogs on the small pond in front of the trees.

The following was seen since 10.30am:
Long-tailed Tit x 4
Water Rail x 2 - The usual sighting in front of the Whitley Hide, whilst a second was seen along the dyke near Oak Fen.
Kingfisher x 1
Goldfinch x 20
Lesser Redpoll x 4 - All seen on the niger seed feeders outside the Volunteers' Hide.
Mealy Repdoll x 5 - Some were seen with the Goldfinch flock, whilst the rest were seen on the same feeders, outside the Volunteers' Hide.
Siskin x 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Coal Tit x 1
Bullfinch x 7
Buzzard x 2
Grey Heron x 2
Barn Owl x 2 - The pair that have taken up residence in the shelter, were actively hunting across the Scrape and over Oak Fen. This went on for a prolonged period of time and they appeared unperturbed by the public watching them close-by. 
Snipe x 5 - Four birds were flushed out on Oak Fen by one of the Barn Owls and they proceeded to fly north.
Reed Bunting x 3
Song Thrush x 1