Author: Linsey Gooding

West End:- 15 x Greylag Goose, 8 x Canada Goose, 2 x Mandarin Duck, 8 x Mallard, 6 x Common Woodpigeon, 8 x Common Swift, 1 x Pied Avocet, 3 x Black-headed Gull, 2 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 x Common Tern, 24 x Great Crested Grebe, 25 x Great Cormorant, 17 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Buzzard, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 2 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 x Common Magpie, 2 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 4 x Great Tit, 2 x Common Reed Warbler, 1 x Sand Martin, 2 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Western House Martin, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 3 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x Goldcrest, 1 x Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 x Eurasian Wren, 2 x European Goldfinch

WeirWood from a chilly dawn. At the west end at least 4 Common Terns and 2 Black- headed Gulls on their platforms. Some of the 17 Great-crested Grebes still weed dancing this morning and 3 Reed Warblers singing from in front of the hide and lay-by. At Whillett’s 3 more Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 2 male Reed Buntings, 3 Greenfinches and a Marsh Tit. Moving to the dam in the c/pk the usual Goldcrest and Coal Tit plus male Bullfinch, Red-legged Partridge and a family of Jays inc’ 4 juv’s in the 20mins spent there. On the dam Grey Wagtail male with 5 Pied and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls. Over the dam a few House Martins and a good 200 Swifts with another 70 mid reservoir. 3 Common Terns were noted and on the aerator 2 ad’ Herring Gulls. Bird of the day would probably by the Great Egret seen for 15mins along the north bank, until from out of nowhere a summer plumage Grey Plover flew in, I could hear it calling and then it dropped on the to the small patch of mud opposite the grassy bank, only my 5th record here. Super looking bird in this summer plumage. It was still present at 7:10hrs. A further 10 Great-crested Grebes were seen. Raptors inc’ Red Kite as seemingly normal and 2 Buzzards. I then took a look along the north bank. Along the footpath still plenty of song from various species but nothing really notable other than Nuthatches, Treecreeper and Bullfinches again. A much better day than yesterday’s effort when it was very quiet. I left at 8:10hrs

WeirWood after the long drive back from Wales. From 6:10hrs on a lovely bright morning at the west end. Still much as expected with the gulls and terns still in attendance, also 6 male Mandarins and 15 Great-crested Grebes. Reed Warblers were still singing with a total of 4 birds noted. A few hirundines were seen with 6 Barn Swallows and 2 House Martins. Fairly quiet here though. Moving on to the dam here in the c/pk 2 Jays, 2 Goldcrests, Garden Warbler seen, several Blackcaps and a Whitethroat. Over the dam an impressive 150 or more Swifts and just a few House Martins feeding in the warm early sunshine, whilst on the dam a Little-ringed Plover was present also Grey and 7 Pied Wagtails. On the water 5 Great-crested Grebes, 2 Herring and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. No less than 4 Red Kites at 7:15hrs and 3 Buzzards. Below the dam a Willow Warbler was seen plus 3 young Whitethroats and along the north bank footpath a Tawny Owl was seen plus Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and a family of Bullfinches inc’ 3 juv’s. I left the area at 8:10hrs.

West End:- 16 x Greylag Goose, 19 x Canada Goose, 3 x Mandarin Duck, 5 x Mallard, 1 x Stock Dove, 5 x Common Woodpigeon, 13 x Common Swift, 4 x Black-headed Gull, 2 x European Herring Gull, 1 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 x Common Tern, 21 x Great Crested Grebe, 1 x Little Egret, 1 x Red Kite, 5 x Common Buzzard, 3 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 x Common Magpie, 3 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 x Great Tit, 1 x Western House Martin, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x Garden Warbler, 1 x Eurasian Wren, 1 x Common Starling, 2 x European Robin, 1 x Pied Wagtail

West End:- 3 x Greylag Goose, 15 x Canada Goose, 2 x Mandarin Duck, 5 x Mallard, 5 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Swift, 1 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 16 x Great Crested Grebe, 33 x Great Cormorant, 17 x Grey Heron, 1 x European Honey-buzzard, 1 x Common Buzzard, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 2 x Common Magpie, 17 x Eurasian Jackdaw, 3 x Carrion Crow, 3 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 2 x Common Reed Warbler, 8 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x European Robin

Little ringed Plover on dam this afternoon,6 Common Terns,4 Herring Gulls,3 Black headed gulls,1 LBB gull,1 GBB gull,35 Swifts,20 House Martins,2 Swallows.
Raptors just 3 Buzzards,2 Red Kites & Kestrel.Egyptian 2 adults still with 8 well grown goslings.

WeirWood late morning to early afternoon, the first bird was a rather pale Honey Buzzard over the dam in a bright sunny spell even in these blustery conditions at 12:05hrs. Plenty of Swifts with ca150 present mostly over the dam. 4 Common Terns and 4 Herring Gulls were present. A Hobby flew over the dam briefly chasing the Swifts without success. In the c/pk again Goldcrest in song plus Jay and male Bullfinch again. Overhead the Honey Buzzard showed at12:15hrs flying off to Ashdown. Moving on to the west end where 10 Great-crested Grebes were loafing about plus 2 Black-headed Gulls still on their chosen nesting platform. Good numbers of House Martins and fewer Barn Swallows with Ca55 birds involved. 5 Common Terns were rather angry that a Lesser Black-backed Gull was lurking around their chosen platform. 3 Red Kites were making light work of the windy weather as was a male Goshawk viewed from the lay-by over at Admiral’s wood. Lots of young Grey Herons were joined by a Little Egret near the heronry. Reed Warblers were still singing with more at Whillett’s where 3 were seen with others in song. 4 Mandarin males were noted as was Kingfisher and 12 Stock Doves. A great day here as the last visit yesterday had been quiet.

West End:- 2 x Greylag Goose, 16 x Canada Goose, 5 x Mandarin Duck, 4 x Mallard, 1 x Stock Dove, 2 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x European Herring Gull, 2 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 x Common Tern, 19 x Great Crested Grebe, 27 x Great Cormorant, 11 x Grey Heron, 4 x Great Tit, 1 x Common Reed Warbler, 12 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 11 x Long-tailed Tit, 1 x Eurasian Nuthatch

WeirWood late afternoon at the dam produced 2 Great Egrets flying west, both non breeding plumaged birds. On the dam 2 Common Terns, Grey Wagtail and several Herring Gulls. Lots of Swifts about too. It’s been a bit samey the last few days, at least the egrets were somewhat different. In the c/pk Goldcrest and a Jay. The west end was visited and produced 4 Common Terns and 2 Black-headed Gulls plus Kingfisher, Little Egret, 2 Mandarins and 2 Reed Warblers. At Whillett’s 3 more Reed Warblers at least plus Garden Warbler and 4 Reed Buntings.

West End:- 31 x Greylag Goose, 7 x Canada Goose, 3 x Egyptian Goose, 2 x Mandarin Duck, 13 x Mallard, 2 x Common Woodpigeon, 2 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 x Common Tern, 7 x Great Crested Grebe, 31 x Great Cormorant, 17 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Magpie, 4 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 2 x Common Reed Warbler, 12 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Dunnock