Author: Linsey Gooding

Dam End:- 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Swifts, 86 Goldfinch, 7 Herring Gulls, 82 Black–headed Gulls, 5 Common Terns, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat.

Moth box sightings:- A new species for the reserve a “Small Rufous”, a species which likes damp habitats with rushes. An interesting sighting was a Ringed China-mark, a species that is water based, their caterpillars feed on pond weed. Also a rather fresh “Silver Y” moth, a meadow species. 23 different species in all were recorded. See Photos tab.
West end:- 59 + 7 Juvenile Great Crested Grebe, 4 Lapwing, 3 Moorhen, 5+ Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest. A passage of Willow Warblers was noted by our bird ringer during the morning. Something different – a Roach was seen from  Whillet’s road bridge.
Whillet’s:-  A Juvenile Buzzard was seen and a Green Woodpecker was heard. Juvenile Frog & Common Lizard seen. See Photos tab.

Dam End:- 63 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Pied Wagtail, 5 Common Tern, 4 Lapwings, 2 Tufted Ducks, 39 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 35 Goldfinch, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay.

West End:- Purple Emperor butterfly seen in oak tree to right of viewing area. 9 Common Terns, 1 Little Egret, 3 Mandarin, 2 Buzzards.

West End:- We watched an Osprey from about 2.30 until 5.00 pm It didn’t catch a fish but gave some lovely views. There were 2 Red Admirals and a beautiful PURPLE EMPEROR butterfly feeding on an oak tree, for at least 10 mins. They were on the oak behind the metal feed station pole. It was a first for myself and for most of the 6 people with me.

West End:- These are both noteworthy species at this site.
An (unringed) Osprey in flight and perched at the end of Admiral’s
Wood.
A Purple Emperor butterfly feeding on a liquid on the oak tree by
the right hand bird feeder.

Dam End:- 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Greylag Geese, 1 Lapwing, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull, 7 Common Terns including a Juvenile, 22 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 11 Swifts, 24 House Martins, 4 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Mallard.
West End:- 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 5 Common Terns, 9 Mandarins. Osprey reported 16:00 – 16:30

West end:- Between 16:00 and about 16:30 an Osprey was seen hunting by me and several other people. It attempted a couple of times to take a fish but failed. Eventually it was lost from site and probably went towards Admiral’s Wood. It may have been the same bird seen on Sunday.
Also 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Tern, 5 young Great Crested Grebe.

WeBS
Reservoir totals for West End and Dam End:-  55+6 young Great Crested Grebe, 22 Cormorant, 7 Little Egret, 8 Grey Heron, 9 Greylag Geese, 4 + 2 Young Mandarin, 24 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 6 Moorhen, 5 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper, 96 Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 6 Common Tern, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 House Martin, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting.
Whillet’s:- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Swallow, Song Thrush & Reed Warbler heard, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Bullfinch.

West End:- Frank & Val Sugg and Mark Dunkerley watched an Osprey catch a fish around 11:15AM; it flew towards Admirals Wood with its food. They also saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Car Park and Lapwing on Pintail Bank.
West End:-  55 + 6 young Great Crested Grebe, 15 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1F Mandarin with 2 small chicks + 2 more adults, 2 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Common Tern.
Whillet’s:- Reed Warbler & Bullfinch heard. Also 1 Slow Worm (see pic).