Author: Linsey Gooding

West End:- 12 Gadwall, 3 Siskin, 1 Brambling.

West End:- 28 Cormorant (1 active nest),  30 active Grey Heron nests, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Gadwall, 2m+1f Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 2 Moorhen, 1 Common Gull.

While the road is closed at Whillet’s Bridge we are concentrating on tasks at the Dam End. This week the work party was building new benches in the picnic area. We are still doing our routine jobs at the car park and hide including clearing litter, filling the bird feeders and updating the sightings list. Photo by Mick Myszyn.

West End:- 10 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flew south, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Snipe, 1 Coot, 2 Teal flew west.
Whillet’s:- 1 Bullfinch, 1 Siskin and a Toad.

West End:- 2 Raven, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Gull, 1 Marsh Tit.
Whillet’s Pool:- 2 Kingfisher.

West End:- Water Rail in front of lay-by,1 Brambling under feeders

Ringing in the study area today saw a mixed bag of woodland / garden birds through out a bright but cold day. Species recorded – Blue Tits, Great Tits, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Wren, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbird and Robins. A number of new Robins were a surprise.  Just under 30 birds.
Other sightings of note in / from the Study area included:- a flock of Lapwing (10 -15), approximately 10 Mandarins,  3 Buzzard, Siskin and Goldcrest. Plenty of Great Tit in song.
A number of small rodent seen in various areas.
Bluebells are starting to break through. Spring is just around the corner!

West End:- Grey Heron – 16 nests are now occupied. 36 Cormorant including 1 pair on a nest. 2 Moorhen, 1 Coot, pair of Gadwall, pair of Mandarin, pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying, 1 Buzzard, 3 Stock Dove, 20 flyover Lapwing, Song Thrush heard.
Feeders:- 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 1m Siskin in Alder, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper plus the usual Blue & Great Tits, Robins, Blackbird and Chaffinches.

West End:- 2 Mute Swan, 1 Coot, 1f Brambling, 1 Marsh Tit, 1m Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard.

An interesting Chiffchaff recovery that was rung on 8/8/17 as a juvenile at Weir Wood, has been re-trapped in La Quintanilla, La Puebla del Rio, Sevilla, Spain on 19/11/17 having traveled 1628km over 103 days.