Visit to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve – 3rd December 2024

I visited the reserve this morning but only as a longer scenic walk to Noak Bridge Medical Centre.

I am glad I did since I had a totally unexpected sighting.

As I walked past Willow Pond and shortly before exiting the reserve at the Eastfield Road gate, I glanced across and saw 3 male Teal. Not surprisingly, they were quickly spooked and flew off rapidly, presumably never to be seen again!

Teal is a common wintering duck species and can be seen in large numbers in the UK, including in Essex, around estuaries and on marshes and large lakes and reservoirs. I certainly wasn’t expecting to see Teal on a small semi-urban pond!

Teal has the honour of being my 50th bird species recorded at Noak Bridge Nature Reserve and my 39th this year.

Photo: male Teal at Salthouse, Norfolk

Site totals for 2024 to date (2023 totals in brackets):

Birds = 39 (36)

Mammals = 3 (2)

Butterflies = 12 (15)  

Dragonflies and damselflies = 11 (11)

Reptiles = 0 (1)

Amphibians = 1 (2)

Total species list for the site:

Birds = 49

Mammals = 4

Butterflies = 22

Dragonflies and damselflies = 15

Reptiles = 2

Amphibians = 3

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Record from my flats - Reeves' Muntjac and Red Foxes

Just a few days ago on  29th November 2024, I heard a “barking” Reeves’ Muntjac from my flat, the first time in many months.

However, this morning I had another record of this deer species, again a “barking” animal which woke me up at 4:15 a.m.!

Records of Red Foxes from my flat continue and have increased in frequency over the last 2 months or so, possibly as a result of this year's grown cubs dispersing from their natal areas. Most of my records have been very late at night or very early in the morning but this evening I heard at least 2 vocalising Red Foxes for several minutes from 5:05 p.m. although failed to see them.

Love nature .... act now

Restore and rewild our natural world

Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature