RSPB - A guided walk around the circular route was memorable for a small bat roosting in Makepeace hide that was identified by DW as a Whiskered Bat, mainly on its ear structure. Whiskered Bats are known to summer roost in out buildings, but its not often you get such a close view of these fascinating little creatures of the night, a real privilege.
As for birds, a typical range of resident and migrant species was noted including up to 6 Kingfishers across the lakes, 8 Great White Egrets and 8 Pintails on Burrowes, 2 Ravens over Dengemarsh, a single Yellow Wagtail on the hayfields, plus Long-tailed Tits, Stonechats, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Goldcrest, Cetti`s Warblers, Marsh Harriers and Kestrels along the route. The Lapwing roost on the shingle contained 2 Golden Plovers and there was a steady stream of several hundred House Martins, Swallows and at least 2 Sand Martins overhead.
Interesting, I wonder if it is now an offence to enter the hide and disturb the bat.
ReplyDeleteLook out for the Vulcan, it should be coming past your way Sunday afternoon on it's last tour of the south before being grounded.
I know you need a licence to handle bats, but as for disturbance, certainly this individual seems oblivious to the coming and goings in the hide, although RSPB have put up a sign warning people of its presence. Thanks for the tip off re the Vulcan, I`ll keep an eye on Twitter Sunday pm as its tracked down the coast.
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