Warnham Local Nature Reserve

Sunset over Rookwood

Another clear, cold but beautiful day however a very cold north-easterly wind made it a little uncomfortable to be out in. This time of year gives wonderful light if there is a frost and today was no exception with an excellent sunrise and sunset.

Gatwick Greenspace Project were at the Reserve today helping us with the Willow Carr management and also fixing the second boardwalk at the north end of the Reserve. If you have walked on it over the past couple of weeks you might have noticed it bounced in certain areas and this was due to the legs rotting. Kev Lerwill and his group of twenty or so volunteers managed to jack the boardwalk up and then insert concrete posts to anchor the boardwalk to which has worked a treat. Thanks to Kev and all the volunteers for fixing this, its back to full working order now.

We then got called out to a Herring Gull which had got a plastic bag caught on its foot and had then filled with water and it wasn't able to take off due to the added weight of the bag. The rescue boat was launched and soon Jo, Andrew and I were off across the millpond. As is normally the case we get to within a few metres of the bird and miraculously the bird becomes free and flies off! And that is exactly what happened on this occasion. We decided to have a quick row over to the Swan Island to see if any Snipe were roosting on there and sure enough three flushed from the reedy edges of the island. A summery of sightings can be found below from today:

Common Snipe 3, Tufted Duck 8, Shoveler 2, Mallard 30+, Greylag Goose 160+, Mute Swan 2, Coot 2, Moorhen 4, Cormorant 4, Grey Heron 1, Little Egret 2, Kingfisher 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Pheasant 2, Goldfinch 10+, Chaffinch 4, Magpie 4, Carrion Crow 3, Jackdaw 20+, Robin 4, Blackbird 8, Redwing 3, Blue Tit 30+, Great Tit 10+, Coal Tit  4

Harlequin Ladybird 1