Month: May 2017

Dam End:- 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Egyptian Goose, 12 Canada Geese, 3 Common Terns, 1m Mandarin.
West End:- 1m 1f Tufted Duck, 5 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Kingfisher, Mandarin with 5 young.

The first part of our members spring walk on Saturday 13 May was enjoyed by 16 people and 3 more joined for the second half. The drizzle had stopped by the time we started and it was warm with sunny spells. We explored the woods, streams and reservoir shores of the study area first. Then we walked to Whillet’s meadows to see the open areas, the ponds and the reed bed. Phil and Alan went ahead to show us nesting birds, including: Mandarin Duck; young Stock Dove; young Jackdaws; Blue Tits and Great Tits. Many other birds were seen and heard. We gathered expectantly to see what was under some of the refuge tins, highlights included: grass snakes; field mice and short-tailed field voles. We identified a number of interesting plants and insects as well. The improvement and maintenance work was appreciated by all the visitors. Thanks to Bob for leading the walk so well and to Phil and Alan for showing us the nesting birds. The report with photos of the walk can be read by clicking HERE.

Birds seen and heard:-
Mandarin Duck, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Common Tern, Barn Swallow, Kingfisher, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mallard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff.

WeBS for Weir Wood
Reservoir totals:- 47 Great Crested Grebe, 36 Mallard + 1 feral hybrid, 8 Canada Geese, 28 Grey Heron, 15 Cormorant (3 pairs nesting), 2 Moorhen, 6 Common Tern, (numerous singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Whitethroat but numbers not recorded).
Dam End:- 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Jays, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Pied Wagtail, 3 Herring Gull flyover, 1 Green Woodpecker.
West End:- 1 Lapwing, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Buzzard, 4 Stock Dove, 40 feral pigeon flyover, 4m Mandarin, Garden Warbler heard.
Whillet’s:- 1m Reed Bunting, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers heard. (Also Azure Damselfly, 2 Burnet Companion Moths, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies noted).

Whillet’s:- Birds heard singing: Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler & Song Thrush. Also seen 1m Reed Bunting, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Large Red Damselfly & Cardinal Beetle (See pic). Small Copper, 2 Peacock and a suspected Green Veined White butterfly.
West End:- 1 Lapwing, 2 Cormorants nesting (See pic)
Dam End:- 3 Common Tern, 1 Grey & 6 Pied Wagtails and a Redshank on Dam wall. 4 Canada Geese with 6 young goslings, 1 Coot, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Rikki Cooper, a fisherman, reported seeing a Black Tern this afternoon at the Dam End, his description was accurate.
 Brendan Lanigan saw an Osprey at the Dam End this morning. 
West End:- 3m+1f Tufted Duck, 1 Lapwing, Pied Wagtail adult feeding recently fledged young.
Whillet’s:-  2 Mandarin, Bullfinch & Reed Warbler heard.
 Dam End:-  7 Common Tern, 1 Hobby, 6 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+ Swallow, 20+ House Martin, 4 Herring Gull, 33 Great Crested Grebe.