Month: May 2026

This evening at the dam, nothing to add except 1 LRP.

Overcast afternoon at the dam end, no waders, 3 buzzards, 20+ swallows, at least 6 house martins, 5 common terns, 3 swifts, 2 GCG.

Afternoon at the Dam

2 Little ringed Plovers,1 Grey Wagtail,3 Common Terns,2 Black headed Gulls,8 Herring Gulls,1 GBB Gull,1 Hobby,4 Buzzards,brief male Goshawk,4 Swifts,25 House Martins,70 Swallows,12 GCG & 1 Mandarin.

Whillets butterflies-10 Green- veined white,1 Large White,6 Orange Tip,1 Painted Lady,2 Peacocks & 3 Small Coppers.
2 Downy Emeralds,3 Grass Snakes.
3+ Reed Warblers at Reed bed,3 Garden Warblers,3 Whitethroats.

Dam end plenty of raptors this afternoon with Keith – at least 3 hobbys – 15+ buzzards – 1 peregrine – 1 goshawk – Great black back – 10 common terns – 4 swift – 2 swallows.

Evening at the dam, 1 common sand and 1 LRP – 2 Hobbys active over the water – only 2 GCG.

WeirWood from 7:45hrs on an overcast dull morning. There was very little about, a Common Sand and Little-ringed Plover on the dam but nothing else and nothing on the dam slope. On the water an ad’ Herring Gull and a Great-crested Grebe, very disappointed by my haul so far. Even the c/pk and area below the dam were quiet. Moving on to a brighter west end. Here
5 Common Terns and 4 Black-headed Gulls remain, 4 male Mandarins, a Kingfisher, 6 Great-crested Grebes and in the c/pk a Marsh Tit. 2 Peregrines flew over the heronry causing some alarm responses. Whillett’s produced 3 Reed Warblers, male Reed Bunting, Mistle Thrush and Garden Warbler. From the canoeist beach a male Goshawk was seen upsetting some of the locals, also from here 24 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker and another Garden Warbler. Leaving at 9:15hrs.

Mid afternoon at dam,7 Common Sandpipers,1 LRP,3 Hobbies,3 Swifts,18 House Martins,4 Swallows,8 Common Terns.

WeirWood from dawn at the west end to start. Here 5 Common Terns were very upset by the presence of an ad’ Great Black-backed Gull, also there appears to be 2 Black-headed Gull nests. A Little Egret was in the heronry and a Mandarin male was in the area. No less than 5 Reed Warblers were scattered around inc’ 3 at Whillett’s where 3 Reed Buntings were showing. A pair of Great-crested Grebes were still weed dancing but they were the only ones seen this end. In the c/pk a Marsh Tit was noted with the area being full of Blackcaps. At the dam 6 Common Sands were on the dam plus a smart summer Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtails, ad’ Herring Gull and a Little-ringed Plover. On the main body of water just 3 Great-crested Grebes, whilst along the north bank as the sun came up 5 Hobbies were seen, some of which were perched up soaking up the warmth, even at this early hour, I assume they roost here. A couple of Common Terns came up from the other end landing on the aerator. Other birds inc’ Bullfinch in song, Garden Warbler and lots of Blackcaps. On the dam slope 6 Mistle Thrushes inc’ 4 juv’s, a Buzzard and 3 Jays. In the c/pk again a couple of Goldcrests and a Coal Tit. Below the dam Common Whitethroat and another Garden Warbler were seen.