Author: Linsey Gooding

WeirWood from 6:25. At the dam still 2 Common Sands plus 4 Common Terns that inc’ 2 juv’, 2 ad’ Great Black-backed Gulls again with 154 Black-headed Gulls. On top of the dam a nice juv’ Wheatear was seen and at 6:50 an Osprey appeared over the north bank quite distantly though. It didn’t catch a fish on this outing. Below the dam was quite productive with 3 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, juv’ Bullfinch, Sedge Warbler, again and best of all a Grasshopper Warbler in bushes and grass by the overflow. In the overflow 2 Grey Wagtails were noted. Moving on to the west end, here at Whillett’s 2 Reed Warblers and 4 Reed Buntings were seen. From the c/pk 5 Mandarins, 4 Lapwings, Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls again and in the narrows a Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. Overhead a surprise 3 calling Mediterranean Gulls, all ad’s flew SW. Several Barn Swallows, ca12 were seen with 2 Sand Martins. To round off a really good morning and add a splash of colour 2 Kingfishers were zooming around. Best day for a while.

This morning in the study area, Tawny Owl daytime hooting.

Dam end
Just couple of Red Kites flying together and 2 Blackcaps

Behind the dam another Sedge Warbler plus 10 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and 3 young Bullfinch.
12 Swallows E, 2 Common Sandpipers and 7 Pied Wagtails on the dam with 202 Black headed gulls.
1 Lapwing on North shoreline is Kingfisher by the water tower. 1 Bartsia Bee in Paddock.

West end 4 more Lapwings and 1 Common Sandpiper,2 Lesser Black Bbacked gulls 1 Great Black Backed gull on rafts.
Very tatty Silver washed fritillary at Whillets

To add at West End this afternoon. 1 Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Mandarins, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Sparrowhawks (ad m & juv), 20 Swallows.

Wheatear on top of the dam, behind the dam Reed Warbler, Blackcaps Whitethroat, 2 Ravens, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker.

WeirWood early to mid morning started with a look along the north bank pathway. Here a juv’ Redstart was the best bird, others inc’ many phyllosc’s, a Garden Warbler and 4 Marsh Tits. From the dam an ad’ Great Black-backed Gull on the aerator, the usual collection of Canada Geese and Black-headed Gulls. Moving on to the west end another ad’ Great Black-backed Gull was present, a single ad’ Little Egret and 7 Lapwing. A couple of imm’ Great-crested Grebes were amongst the adults, a Kingfisher was present as were 11 Stock Doves. Several Mandarin were around and in the c/pk more phyllosc’s.

Weir Wood Reservoir – Dam end:- 110 x Canada Goose, 29 x Mallard, 7 x Common Woodpigeon, 138 x Black-headed Gull, 5 x European Herring Gull, 2 x Great Black-backed Gull, 2 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 x Great Crested Grebe, 8 x Great Cormorant, 2 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Buzzard, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Common Magpie, 2 x Eurasian Jackdaw, 1 x Carrion Crow, 5 x Barn Swallow, 5 x Western House Martin, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Eurasian Blackbird, 1 x Pied Wagtail

West End: 5 Lapwings
Whillet’s:- 10 Greenfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Common Whitethroat.

Butterflies-6 Green veined White, 1 Small White, 1 Large White, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Common Blue, 6 Small Copper, 2 Comma, 1 Peacock, 5 Meadow Browns.