Author: Linsey Gooding

WeirWood from dawn on a lovely sunny morning, only 3oC though. At the dam still 2 Little-ringed Plovers and 3 Common Sands, these were joined by 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, I’d hoped of seeing these yesterday, they remained until 7:05hrs when they disappeared. I must have missed them moving on. Several Great-crested Grebes were present this end, some of which engaged in weed dancing. Blackcaps seemed to be singing from everywhere this morning, also Common Whitethroat heard from the area below the dam. 6 Pied Wagtails were seen plus a male Grey Wagtail. In the paddock a female Common Redstart was a nice surprise and showed well in the fence line bushes. Walking back to the c/pk more Blackcaps were heard whilst in the c/pk 2 Goldcrests were noted plus a Chiffchaff and a Coal Tit. Moving on to the west end here 2 Common Terns and 2 Black-headed Gulls were on the nesting platforms. In the c/pk Marsh Tit was seen but the feeders were pretty quiet. 2 Kingfishers were present, mostly zooming about in front of the hide.

West End:- 2 x Greylag Goose, 11 x Canada Goose, 2 x Egyptian Goose, 9 x Mandarin Duck, 3 x Mallard, 1 x Stock Dove, 5 x Common Woodpigeon, 7 x Black-headed Gull, 7 x Great Crested Grebe, 32 x Great Cormorant, 27 x Grey Heron, 1 x Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 1 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 x Common Magpie, 1 x Carrion Crow, 1 x Coal Tit, 3 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 x Great Tit, 1 x Willow Warbler, 2 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x Eurasian Blackbird, 1 x European Robin, 1 x Dunnock, 2 x Pied Wagtail, 1 x Common Chaffinch

1pm dam end – 3 common sands and 2 LRPs on the Dam – egyptions with goslings – quiet otherwise.

5pm no sign of Shelducks, probably moved on when sun came out,2 LRP & 3 Com Sands on dam.
West end 1 pair of Common Terns 2 pairs Black headed gulls back on rafts,1 Mandarin,1 Coot.

WeirWood mid afternoon, on the dam 4 Common Sands and 2 Little-ringed Plovers surprisingly with all the disturbance being caused there, plus several Pied and 3 Grey Wagtails. Over the water 2 Swifts and a selection of House Martins and Barn Swallows. A pair of Shelducks was an added bonus, also a few Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were noted with 2 Common Terns putting in an appearance. Amongst the raptors Hobby was seen plus male Sparrowhawk, male Kestrel, Red Kite and 3 Buzzards. In the c/pk Blackcap, Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests, whilst below the dam Common Whitethroat and 2 male Bullfinches. Lots of disturbance around the dam area today.

Swift over the water,reported by work party.

West End:- 11 x Canada Goose, 2 x Egyptian Goose, 2 x Mandarin Duck, 6 x Mallard, 1 x Common Pheasant, 3 x Common Woodpigeon, 7 x Black-headed Gull, 3 x European Herring Gull, 1 x Great Black-backed Gull, 2 x Common Tern, 11 x Great Crested Grebe, 33 x Great Cormorant, 1 x Little Egret, 29 x Grey Heron, 2 x Common Buzzard, 1 x Marsh Tit, 5 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 3 x Great Tit, 1 x Willow Warbler, 3 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Blackcap, 2 x Eurasian Blackbird, 1 x European Robin, 3 x Dunnock, 2 x Common Chaffinch, 3 x European Goldfinch

Dam end-1 Swift,1 Sand Martin,2 Swallow,4 House Martin,3 Common Sandpipers,2 Little ringed Plovers,2 Red Kites,Mistle Thrush,Garden Warbler by entrance to southern water,2 Whitethroats,2 Bullfinch.
West end-1 Common Tern,Sparrowhawk.

2m Reed Buntings & Reed warbler at Reed bed plus a Kingfisher.

Just the one common sand and little ringed polver on the dam this evening – but pretty sure I had a peregrine – couldnt be 100% but a very stocky falcon and very agile in flight.

WeirWood was visited mid afternoon starting at the west end where a pair of Black-headed Gulls were staking out one of the nesting platforms and mating. Another pair arrived causing them some me concern. Again a male Goshawk appeared causing havoc briefly and a pair of Great-crested Grebes were also displaying. 2 Common Terns were noted but disappeared as soon as I saw them. Several Chiffchaffs were noted around the c/pk as was a Marsh Tit. A Kingfisher was seen near the nesting bank presumably they are already nesting. 3 Tufted Ducks were also seen plus a rather gaudy Mandarin. Several Stock Doves were about mostly disturbed by the Goshawk. Other raptors inc’ Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk and Red Kite. No sign of the Reed Warbler today at Whillett’s. At the dam 4 skittish Common Sands and a Little-ringed Plover but that was about it with all the activity going on. Around the c/pk Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush and Coal Tit were seen and below the dam Common Whitethroat and Green Woodpecker.