The march towards autumn is now in full swing at Fairfield Reserve. We’re in one of those strange periods of the year where both summer and winter visitors can be found. Around the different parts of the reserve, the odd warbler can still be heard but this week has seen returning Teal and Pink-footed Goose, two staples of autumn and winter. Swallows are much reduced in number although a few can still be seen overhead.
- A skein of 31 Pink-footed Geese flew east over Flora Field on 20th. A Moorhen was calling from Flora Ponds on 20th with a Grey Heron also present at the same location. Single Jays were seen overhead on both days.
- Pony Wood hosted a Great Spotted Woodpecker on 13th and Grey Squirrel on 20th.
- A Lesser Whitethroat was singing quietly in the hedgerow beside Long Pads on 13th. A pair of Stock Doves were in the field to the south of West Field on 13th and a female Roe Deer was feeding in the same location on 20th.
- The pond in West Field is still quite difficult to monitor due to the height of the hedgerow, although 3 Teal could just be seen on 20th through the foliage. 2 Moorhens and a Grey Heron were also present.
- In the hedgerow alongside Big Meadow, a Chiffchaff could be heard singing faintly on 20th with single Greenfinch and Goldfinch also recorded on the same date.
- In Hay Meadow, a Cetti’s Warbler was heard briefly on 13th, the first record on the reserve since mid-June.
- Along the canal, Ripley Field yielded a pair of Mute Swans with no fewer than seven well-grown cygnets on 13th, along with 21 Mallards and 3 Moorhens.