Month: February 2026

Colin Firman had a singing Chiffchaff in the sailing club car park today

WeirWood was a bit misty and there was very light drizzle at 13:30hrs. At the west end 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon and 2 Teal. At the feeders 3 Marsh Tits and 4 Siskins amongst others. A male Sparrowhawk zipped through the area and the Water Rail was present. 2 Little Egrets were seen along the north bank and 4 Great-crested Grebes were about.

WeirWood a brief visit this morning then a return at lunchtime at the dam end. Here 2 Sand Martins were seen for a while, couldn’t refind them after a few minutes. Little else this end however, only Black-headed Gulls and a nice male Grey Wagtail. At the west end it was much as expected with the usual collection of ducks and busy feeders. Of interest were 3 Siskins in the c/pk trees and the Water Rail again giving amazing views from the hide. A Little Egret was present in the heronry and the female Goshawk was seen putting up all the Wood Pigeons being the give away to its presence. Only 3 Great-crested Grebes seen today.

WeirWood from dawn. At the west end the 3 Pintail were still around for a while distantly before moving out of sight around the right hand point, also Little Grebe, 7 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 5 Gadwall and 2 Mandarin. A Water Rail again at the feeding station where the collection of various tits were noted. Moving on to the stubble field a good showing of Linnets with 60+ birds noted also 20 Goldfinches and the Wood Lark again in song despite the gloom. At Whillett’s a Water Rail was heard plus 2 Reed Buntings and a Chiffchaff. Back at the hide 2 Little Egrets were seen over the busy heronry and a Kingfisher was zooming around. In the c/pk 2 Siskins, 3 Redpolls over and 3 Redwings in the trees opposite the hide. Black-headed Gull numbers here were up to 46 birds. Fairly impressive morning considering the gloomy skies and light drizzle. I left the area at 9:30hrs

This morning 3 Pintail, 8 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, 1 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, Water Rail under the feeders, 1 Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, 80 Linnets in stubble field and Woodlark singing.
4 Egyptian Geese, 10 Greylag Geese, 11 Canada Geese, 3 Buzzards, Goshawk, Kestrel.
Dam end just 2 Grey Wagtails, 15 Rooks & 4 Redwings.
Whillet’s couple of Water rail calling at Reed bed plus a flyover Siskin.

Goshawk over the south bank dam end.

3 Pintails at west end (1 Drake,2 ducks).

At WeirWood from midday it was very much status quo. All the duck were present and the feeders were as usual busy with the same species as yesterday. There were a few more Black-headed Gulls and 6 Great-crested Grebes at the west end. Even the Water Rail was still present by the hide. Marsh Tit was in song as were 2 Nuthatches calling. The only things new were a Wood Lark was seen by the stubble field where there were 2 Yellowhammers and 29 Goldfinches and 2 Snipe flushed from Pintail bank during my wanderings. From the dam gulls inc’ 4 Herring, 2 Lesser Black-backed and 25 Black-headed and on the dam 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Linnets, Green Woodpecker and 2 Mistle Thrushes. Overhead Red Kite and 2 Ravens were seen. Then the drizzle started so I left at 13:30hrs.

WeirWood again from midday was pleasant at the west end. 11 Wigeon today plus 2 Tufted Duck, 17 Mandarins and 4 Teal. On the feeders 2 Siskins joined the usual tits and finches which again inc’ Marsh, Long-tailed and Coal Tit. Several Black-headed Gulls were joined by a 1st winter Common Gull. In the c/pk 5 Lesser Redpolls and a Goldcrest were seen plus a Buzzard overhead. The male Goshawk put in an appearance along Pintail bank scaring all and sundry, with the female showing 10 minutes later putting in an amazing show. A Water Rail was under the feeders near the hide in the company of Coot and Moorhen. The heronry was busy as expected with lots of activity. The dam end was quiet with just a few gulls, grebes and Grey Wagtail male.

WeirWood from a damp dawn at the dam where it was quiet. Here 5 Great-crested Grebes, a 1st winter Common Gull, 15 Black-headed and 4 Herring Gulls was about it on the water. On the dam Buzzard was looking very bedraggled and a Mistle Thrush. In the c/pk a Goldcrest, Coal Tit and nice male Bullfinch. Below the dam a Chiffchaff was noted in the bushes by the overflow. At the west end 10 Wigeon, 4 Teal and 2 Tufted Duck. On the feeders the usual crowd inc’ Marsh Tit one of which was singing nearby. Stock Doves were evident again with 20+ noted 2 of which were under the feeders again. In the heronry area a Great Egret was a bonus flyover but little else of note.