Author: Linsey Gooding

When checking nest boxes today, we found this store of acorns. The top was fixed down, so all of these have been carried in through the entrance hole. Photo by Michael Myszyn.

North Bank:- 3+ Hawfinch feeding in Hornbeams, 3 Yellowhammers, 9 Bullfinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Collard Doves, 4 Stock Doves, 1,635 Woodpigeons flew south, 84 Redwings, 10 Fieldfares, 10 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbirds, 1 Jay, 21 Meadow Pipits, 88 Starlings, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Egyptian Geese flew North.

Ringing this morning saw a range of species including: Wrens, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Goldcrests, Bullfinches, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tits and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (both males).

West End:-  Water levels remain low and starting to attract some new birds to the reservoir.  Highlight was a female/redheaded Goosander and a pair of Shoveler,  7 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 24 Mandarin, 2 Teal, 71 Mallard,  1 Little Grebe, 52 Great Crested Grebe, 38 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 98 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 7 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 31 Lapwing, 16 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 39 Black-headed Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 1 flyover Common Gull, 13 Stock Dove, 2 Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard, 2 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail flyover, 2 Pied Wagtail, Raven heard, 4 flyover Chaffinch.    Feeders:-  4 Goldfinch, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 3+ Great Tit, 10+ Blue Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit.
Whillet’s:-  5 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 4 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, Redwing flyover, Bullfinch heard.
Also; 1 Red Admiral butterfly.  1 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly ovipositing & 2 Common Darters all at meadow pond.
Bird ringers caught a male Goldcrest this morning in the study area (see pic).

Bob Johnson, Alastair Gray and The Ringers.

1 Little Egret, 12 Mandarin, 2 pairs of Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 6 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 23 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 7 Stock Dove, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woopecker, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 30 flyover Starling, 6 flyover Chaffinch, Treecreeper, Goldfinch.

Reed Bed:- 109 Reed Buntings went into the roost between 14:25 & 16:40, also 2 Starlings. 1 Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard, 2 Egyptian Geese flew over.
West End:- Quick look at dusk and noticed – 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Mandarin, 2 Gadwall, 100+ Greylag, Teal and Snipe.

Our first fungus foray was held on 15 October 2017. Please click HERE to see a full list of the species identified and a selection of photographs. We hope to hold further walks and to carry out more surveys. Our reserve promises to reveal more interesting discoveries. Many thanks to Nick Aplin and his colleagues from the Sussex Fungi Society for all their expertise and help.

West End:- 4 Pochard.

Whillet’s:- 70 Reed Buntings roosted in Reed Bed from 16:30 onwards, 60 Redwings flew west, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll over.
West End:- 55 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Coot, 47 Lapwing, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 25 Teal, 14 Mandarin, 13 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 12 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Fieldfare.