Author: Linsey Gooding

WeirWood first light, a lovely bright dawn. Some slow unproductive days recently but the first birds over the dam c/pk were 2 Red Kites and a Woodcock, on the dam 2 Grey Wagtails with a dozen Pieds. 3 Jays, Mistle Thrush were on top of the dam and a Buzzard on the fence below. Over the dam a female Goshawk was lovely to see headed along the south bank causing a bit of a stir. Back in the c/pk 7 Redpolls were noted plus a Fieldfare and 5 Redwings. At the west end in Legsheath Lane a nice Brambling was with a small flock of Chaffinches. On the feeders again Marsh and Coal Tits plus a Great spotted Woodpecker and a Stock Dove below. Other than Mallards the only duck were 40 Pochards and 4 Mandarins. A Little Grebe was present with the few Great-crested. At Whillett’s at least 3 Water Rails squealing from various parts of the Reed bed, also Marsh Tit here and 3 Greenfinches. A pleasant early morning. I left at 9:20hrs.

Late afternoon at the west end with Johnathan, 53 Pochards, 4 Gadwall, 72 Greylags.
At Whillets 31 Reed Buntings roosted but just 5 Starlings. 4 Water Rails Squealing, 20 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Redpolls and Red Kite flyovers.
Kingfisher on stream 5 Teal west at dusk and 4 Tawny Owls calling

Quiet at the west end. 17 Pochards, 3 Gadwall, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Ravens, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 10 GC Grebes, 3 Yellowhammers on north bank, plenty of Redwings but few Fieldfares.

Quiet at the west end. 17 Pochards, 3 Gadwall, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Ravens, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 10 GC Grebes, 3 Yellowhammers on north bank, plenty of Redwings but few Fieldfares.

WeBs with Bob today 40 Mandarins, 26 Pochards, 5 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Coot, 2 Water Rails, Grey Wagtails, 1 Snipe, 42 Great crested Grebes. Goshawk, Peregrine, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Ravens. Chiffchaff infront of hide, 52 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling & 1 Yellowhammer in millet field. Linnets, Goldfinch and Fieldfares in stubble field.
2 Mistle Thrush, loads of Redwings, 2 Marsh tits, 20 Siskins, 10 Redpolls and some Jays noted.

From the hide in very wet conditions 71 Pochards,13 Tufted Ducks,38 Mallards & 4 Coots noted.

WeirWood was very quiet today. Just 7 Pochards, 3 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and several groups of Stock Doves. The feeders however were very busy with all the usual species. That was it for me.

Later at the dam, nothing to add on the water except a Little Egret. Behind the dam Goshawk and Raven over, Goldcrest and Dunnock in song and a few Redwings.

WeirWood on a bright, calm but very frosty morning at 8:25hrs there were still ca300 Black-headed Gulls that were joined by 4 Common, ad’ Herring and an ad’ Mediterranean Gull which was a tad odd. 47 Great-crested Grebes were noted. A Great Egret was here along the north bank with a Grey Heron soaking up any warmth they could from the sun. On the dam Green Woodpecker and 2 Mistle Thrushes. A Sky Lark and 7 Redpolls flew over but the best flyover was the 4 Crossbills, all headed SW. In the c/pk little of note except for a Coal Tit. At the west end 48 Pochard but little else noted on the duck front other than 3 Mandarins and a pair of Garwall. On the feeders a Great spotted Woodpecker male plus the usual collection of tits inc’ Marsh. I left at 9:30hrs.

West End:- 2 x Canada Goose, 35 x Greylag Goose, 2 x Egyptian Goose, 3 x Mandarin Duck, 2 x Gadwall, 8 x Mallard, 49 x Pochard, 25+ x Woodpigeon, 2 x Moorhen, 2 x Coot, 5 x Great Crested Grebe, 2 x Grey Heron, 1 x Kingfisher, 1 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 x Carrion Crow, 1 x Coal Tit, 1 x Marsh Tit, 7 x Blue Tit, 4 x Great Tit