Month: January 2026

A late morning visit to West End whilst passing 6 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebe, 9 Mandarin – Where were the ducks yesterday when we did the WeBS?

This morning with Bob at West end:- 17 Mandarins, 7 Tufties, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Pochard, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Ravens, Sparrowhawk, 2 Goshawks(M& F) 5 Egyptians, 38 Greylags, Chiffchaff in front of the hide.
Whillets:- Mistle thrush, 2 Reed Buntings & Green Woodpecker.
Dam end:- 4 Lesser Redpolls, Fieldfare, 8 Redwings, 3 Bullfinch.

Whillets this afternoon. 2 Water Rails, 3 Teal, 7 Reed Buntings, 5 Starlings, 65 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Ravens, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker. I’ve never seen the river so high and wellies are essential in the meadows.

WeirWood from dawn. At last something of note although there was little to speak of on the water, a single Pochard and 7 Tufted Ducks plus a few Great-crested Grebes. A young White-tailed Eagle was seen at 8:30 flying overhead heading north east over the c/pk, magnificent to see. On the feeders a small flock of 5 Long-tailed Tits along with all the normal crew plus a female Siskin and Great spotted Woodpecker. In the calm bright conditions Fieldfare could be heard nearby whilst 25 Redwings were also noted. Add to this Red Kite and 2 Ravens, things were definitely looking up. Moving on to the set aside field there were 45 Goldfinches, 11 Chaffinches and 4 Yellowhammers. Back to Whillett’s and a squealing Water Rail was added. A male Goshawk was seen, again in switchback display near the rocks but sadly not for too long. Nice to see though. Then on to the dam where it was in contrast to the west end and nothing of note was seen except for Grey Wagtail and a Jay on the dam. A count of 10 Great-created Grebes, Herring and Black-headed Gull, one each. In the c/pk it was a different story with Goldcrest and Coal Tit plus a single Brambling in the trees by the cafe. I left the area late in the morning. Great day.

Only bird of note this morning was a Water rail screaming at the Reed bed

Dam end:- 2 Coots, 31 Great crested Grebes, 1 Little Egret in horse paddock, 70 Mallard, 11 Mandarins, 1 Pochard, 38 Tufted Duck.
Sparrowhawk, 12 Redwings, 1 Mistle Thrush & 6 Fieldfares.
West end:- 3 Little Egrets, 12 Mandarins, 4 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 17 Mallards & 16 Greylags. 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Red Kite, 2 Ravens & Sparrowhawk.
In set aside fields 50 Goldfinch, 10 Linnets, 30 Chaffinches, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Reed Bunting & 10 Redpolls.

From car park 23 Tufted Duck, 40 Mallard, 5 Canada geese, 1 pochard, 1 x Great Crested Grebe, 3 active Coal Tits, 1 Marsh Tit, numerous blue & Great – heard Raven – saw male pheasant & got cold fingers

Plus 1 frozen heron

5 x Black Headed Gull, 1 x Common, 1 x Egyptian Goose, Wood Pigeon, Robin too

2 carrion crow & heading home now

Mixed flock of Greylag & Canada Geese considering splash down circa 80

West End:- 18 x Canada Goose, 2 x Mute Swan, 1 x Egyptian Goose, 51 x Mallard, 4 x Pochard, 7 x Tufted Duck, 2 x Stock Dove, 5 x Woodpigeon, 1 x Coot, 7 x Great Crested Grebe, 19 x Lapwing, 1 x Sparrowhawk, 2 x Goshawk, 1 x Kingfisher, 3 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 x Magpie, 5 x Jackdaw, 3 x Carrion Crow, 1 x Marsh Tit, 8 x Blue Tit, 3 x Great Tit, 4 x Long-tailed Tit, 1 x Nuthatch, 3 x Redwing, 2 x Blackbird, 3 x Robin, 1 x Chaffinch

This afternoon 270 Lapwings went west flocks were 28, 1, 2, 22, 24, 50, 4, 93, 1, 22, 1, 17 & 2.
Ducks-52 Teal, 33 Tufted Duck, 12 Wigeon, 11 Pochards, 6 Gadwall, 6 Mandarins & 2 Shoveler. 6 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 28 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Kingfisher, 18 Common Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 66 Black headed Gulls, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Red Kite, male Sparrowhawk.
5 Fieldfares, 26 Starling, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Marsh Tit and 8 Long tailed tits.

West end this morning 80-90% ice cover but water still along north bank.
Totals were 45 Tufted Duck, 34 Teal, 15 Pochards, 3 Mandarins, 7 Gadwall, 68 Mallard, 3 Coots, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Egyptian geese, 41 Canada Geese, 87 Greylags geese, 5 Grey Heron, Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, Kingfisher, male Goshawk, 2 Raven, Marsh Tit, 1 Pied wagtail, 1 Grey wagtail, single flock of 27 Lapwings flew west as did 4 Common Gulls.