Author: Linsey Gooding

Honey Buzzard heading towards the dam (seen from higher ground above the north bank at the west end).

West End:- 56 x Greylag Goose, 28 x Canada Goose, 5 x Mandarin Duck, 9 x Mallard, 2 x Eurasian Teal, 1 x Common Pheasant, 2 x Stock Dove, 7 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Eurasian Coot, 6 x Black-headed Gull, 2 x European Herring Gull, 2 x Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 x Common Tern, 11 x Great Crested Grebe, 12 x Great Cormorant, 1 x Little Egret, 5 x Grey Heron, 1 x Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 3 x Common Buzzard, 5 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Eurasian Green Woodpecker, 1 x Common Kestrel, 1 x Common Magpie, 22 x Rook, 2 x Carrion Crow, 2 x Marsh Tit, 4 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 x Great Tit, 1 x Common Reed Warbler, 1 x Sand Martin, 4 x Barn Swallow, 20 x Western House Martin, 1 x Willow Warbler, 6 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Treecreeper, 2 x Eurasian Wren, 1 x European Robin, 14 x European Goldfinch

West End:- 8 x Canada Goose, 4 x Mandarin Duck, 14 x Mallard, 4 x Stock Dove, 7 x Common Woodpigeon, 2 x Northern Lapwing, 23 x Black-headed Gull, 3 x Common Tern, 13 x Great Crested Grebe, 8 x Great Cormorant, 8 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Buzzard, 2 x Common Kingfisher, 2 x Common Magpie, 2 x Rook, 2 x Sand Martin, 5 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 x European Goldfinch

WeirWood from 7:20hrs. On a lovely bright morning. Little new of note at the dam however, just a single Common Sandpiper, the usual collection of Black-headed and an ad’ Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Little Egret was on the north shore, a few Manderin were around plus 2 Mute Swans and a family of Egyptian Geese. In the c/pk 2 Goldcrests and 2 Willow Warblers. Moving on to the west end where the day was saved when 6 Crossbills flew low SW over the lay-by. Also at last a Greenfinch at Whillett’s was new for the year here, not sure how I’ve missed them up to now. A Reed Warbler was very active in the reed bed where 2 female Reed Buntings were seen.

Weir Wood Reservoir – Dam end:- 21 x Canada Goose, 1 x Mute Swan, 1 x Egyptian Goose, 3 x Mallard, 4 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Swift, 3 x Common Sandpiper, 95 x Black-headed Gull, 2 x Great Black-backed Gull, 4 x Common Tern, 20 x Great Crested Grebe, 14 x Great Cormorant, 4 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Coal Tit, 2 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 4 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Long-tailed Tit, 1 x Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 x Eurasian Blackbird

Narrows family of 5 noisy Reed Warblers,2 Little Egrets and a Mandarin.
On the rafts 2 Common Tern and 2 adult and 2 recently fledged Lesser black backed gulls.
At dam 3 more adult Lesser black backed gulls and 2 adult Great black backed gulls,22 Great crested grebes,4 Common Sandpipers and 2 Grey Wagtails.
A Juvenile Green Woodpecker was feeding on the grass slope and 2 Common Blue Butterfly’s noted.Family of 5 Swallows over usual Mute Swan and 5 Egyptian Geese.
Unfortunately couldn’t find any small birds but had a look at the lovely Wasp Spider the work party found yesterday.

Whillets- Hobby, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Bullfinches, 3 Whitethroats, Blackcap, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Essex Skipper.

WeirWood from 6:15hrs, it was flat overcast with light NW breeze. On the dam 9 Common Sands indulging in some rather aggressive display, 2 Little Egrets also and an ad’ Great Black-backed Gull. 114 Black-headed Gulls were present mostly on the overflow, only a few juv’s so far. A highlight for me was the flock of 11 Golden Plover flying SW at 6:45hrs calling nicely as they went on their way. I don’t see too many of these now. 3 Common Terns were noted and an ad’ Common Gull flew in. So far better than the last few days here. Another Little Egret was along the north shore plus 6 Mandarins at least. In the c/pk a surprise Reed Warbler, a rather fresh looking individual and a Goldcrest. Below the dam 3 Grey Wagtails in the overflow plus another Common Sandpiper and in the bushes 2 Willow Warblers, bright looking juv’s. A Green Woodpecker male was on the dam slope and a Mistle Thrush was noted. At the west end around 20 Barn Swallows were feeding around the platforms, also Lapwing present.

West End:- 3 x Mandarin Duck, 10 x Mallard, 6 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Moorhen, 1 x Northern Lapwing, 7 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x Great Black-backed Gull, 1 x Common Tern, 5 x Great Crested Grebe, 5 x Great Cormorant, 1 x Little Egret, 3 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Magpie, 3 x Carrion Crow, 2 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 2 x Great Tit, 1 x Common Reed Warbler, 5 x Barn Swallow, 2 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 x Eurasian Treecreeper, 1 x Eurasian Wren