Whillett’s:- Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing and Flying Scotsman whistling.
Month: April 2017
11-04-17 Work Party
We towed the wandering tern raft back on station with a new anchor – hopefully in time for the return of the terns. We also replaced a torn buoy on the boundary rope. Many thanks to Brendan Lannighan from the fishing organisation for his help and boat. Other tasks included: checking the nest boxes; surveying the refuges for reptiles and small mammals; litter picking and tree trimming. Photos by Alastair Cameron.
WeBS
All reservoir:– 39 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Cormorant, 24 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 22 Canada Geese, 19 Mallard + 9 chicks, 4 Moorhen, 4 Stock Dove.
Butterflies seen were 5 Orange Tip, 5 Brimstone, 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma, 5 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Green veined White, 2 Holly Blue.
Dam End:- 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Coot, Green Woodpecker heard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler
West End: 1 Greylag, 2 Mandarin, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Lapwing, 20 Herring Gull flyover, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Rook flyover, 6 Goldfinch
Whillet’s:- 1 Willow Warbler,
Also seen by Alastair Gray. Dam End with North bank counts: 10 Blackcap, 17 Chiffchaff, 3 Jay, 12 Bullfinch.
On 10/4 – Brendan Lannigan reported seeing a Barn Owl at the dam end.
11/4/17: – Great Crested Grebe at nest, 1m Mandarin, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Swallow, House Martin, 1 Lapwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit.
North Bank:- 1 Nightingale, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 5m+1f Blackcaps, 12+ Chiffchaff.
Dam End:- 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Swallows.
Whillet’s:- 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Mandarins, 1 Kestrel.
Butterflies:- Orange Tip, Comma, Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell.
Car park 08.40-10.10:- 4 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 10 Cormorant, 23 Grey Heron, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mallard, 2 Moorhen.
1 Snipe on Pintail Point. 1 Buzzard, 2 Lapwing overflying, 2 Jackdaw, 4 Pheasant, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Wren, 1 Swallow. 1 Stock Dove. On feeders 5 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker.
2 Snipe, 8 Swallow, 1 Kingfisher, 3m+1f Tufted Duck, pair of Mandarin, 2 Egyptian Geese, Willow Warbler heard, several Chiffchaff heard, several Blackcaps including 2 males seen, 2 Coal Tit, Nuthatch + 4 Goldfinch with one seen taking nesting material. 6 Heron nests now have young.
Picture of recently completed laid hedge. We are pleased to see it greening up nicely with new growth, the Blackthorn within it now flowering.
West End:- 2 Swallows, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Dam End:- 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1m Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Herring Gulls.
North Bank:- 1 Blackcap, 2 Sand Martins, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Jay.