Category: Osprey

WeirWood from 7:00hrs on a cold overcast morning. From the dam 6 Common Terns, an ad’ Great Black-backed, ad’ Lesser Black-backed and ad’ Herring Gull plus 15 Great-crested Grebes. At 7:21hrs an Osprey appeared, caught a fish and flew off towards the west end. A single Hobby was noted perched up along the south bank. However that was about it this end. The west end, the Common Terns were on the platform 2nd from left. 4 birds and 2 nests by the looks of it. 2 Kingfishers were about and 2 Little Egrets. In the c/pk 2 Marsh Tits, Nuthatch and from here Reed Warbler. 4 more Great-crested Grebes were seen a couple of which were displaying. At Whillett’s still 2 Reed Warblers at least and a couple of Reed Buntings, 2 Gatden Warblers and 3 Greenfinches. Overhead a Red Kite again and one of the Little Egrets flew over towards the meadows.

WeirWood mid to late morning in beautiful weather. At the dam 2 Common Sands and 2 Little-ringed Plovers still, no sign of Oystercatcher though. The only gulls of note were an ad’ Great Black-backed and ad’ Herring, 4 Common Terns were also present. Song from Garden Warbler, Bullfinch and several Blackcaps was heard. At 10:30hrs an Osprey appeared high over the dam drifting north. 2 Hobbies were along the north bank and 6 Great-crested Grebes were seen. On the dam slope Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Buzzard and a rather flighty Wheatear female, my first here this year. Below the dam in the overflow a pair of Grey Wagtails and in the surrounding bushes Common Whitethroat. I left at ca11:30hrs.

No wimbrel this morning – but did have a very low ospray over the dam.

Others seen this morning were 2 commons and a LRP on the dam – 2 common terns and 2 GCGs

WeirWood midday to early afternoon. Disappointed however, there was only one Little-ringed Plover on the dam, 3 Pied and a Grey Wagtail. Not surprising though as there was a lot of activity on top of the dam and vegetation clearing. Over the water a collection of ca40 House and Sand Martins plus 4 Barn Swallows. Just one Black-headed Gull but 2 Goshawks a male and huge female along the south bank. Another Osprey was noted over the dam at 13:05hrs for a few minutes eventually disappearing towards Ashdown. Below the dam Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps and a Red Kite over whilst in the c/pk a lovely Firecrest was bird of the day, in trees by the entrance gate, very mobile though and silent, 2 Goldcrests as well. A better visit than recent ones for me.

WeirWood all morning, where it was breezy and overcast, however the birds were good with Yellow Wagtail over the fishing lodge, seen later on the dam and my first Osprey this year flew north over the dam at 10:25hrs. There were also 12 or so Sand Martins, amongst which was my first Barn Swallow of the year they all disappeared after about half an hour at 10:00hrs. The only gulls were a couple of Herring and 2 Lesser Black-backed, 4 Great-crested Grebes were noted but little else of note on the water. In the c/pk Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcap, Goldcrest and Marsh Tit. There was an obvious feeling of migration today with other species inc’ 2 Sky Lark, 2 Redwing and a small number of Chaffinches all headed north. I noted very little at the west end today, Kingfisher being the highlight. I left at 11:10hrs well pleased.

WeirWood on a slightly misty but calm early morning at the west end. Here a good number of Mandarins, at least 25, also Little Egret and a Snipe again on Pintail bank. Several phyllosc’s, presumably all Chiffchaffs about plus Marsh Tit and 2 Siskins. At the dam 2 Common Sands an ad’ and juv’, also 3 Jays noted on top of the dam. The usual collection of gulls were still hanging out, then as all was quiet and the mist cleared at 8:10 an Osprey appeared towards the west end. Back on the dam a third Common Sandpiper was seen also ca20 Pied Wagtails were joined by 2 Greys. There were 33 Great-crested Grebes scattered around plus a Little Grebe. 4 Teal were seen from this end plus a Gadwall and nice impressive female Goshawk. In the c/pk 4 Goldcrest were seen plus Marsh Tit with more Chiffchaffs noted. Below the dam around the overflow a nice Lesser Whitethroat and overhead a Sky Lark. Things are on the move.

West End:- 14 x Mandarin Duck, 9 x Mallard, 6 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Moorhen, 2 x Eurasian Coot, 9 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x Great Black-backed Gull, 1 x Common Tern, 12 x Great Crested Grebe, 10 x Great Cormorant, 2 x Grey Heron, 1 x Osprey, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Common Magpie, 1 x Carrion Crow, 3 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 4 x Great Tit, 5 x Western House Martin, 3 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x Eurasian Wren, 5 x Common Starling, 1 x Song Thrush, 1 x European Robin

West End:- Currently 2 Ospreys sat in trees. Also 11 Teal, 24+ Mandarins, Little Grebe, 30 Mallard, 2 Sand Martins and a Kingfisher

Forgot we saw Kestrel,Sparrowhawk,3 Buzzards,Kingfisher and several Chiffchaffs too.

Today very early morning where the WeirWood, after some decidedly disappointing days recently it was nice to have both Osprey and juv’ female Goshawk at the dam ca11:00hrs. The Osprey was quite distant over the north bank but the Goshawk showed very well. Not a lot else of note, the collection of gulls remained the same, but no Common Sands. A Buzzard was the only other bird noted. At the west end Marsh Tilt was in the c/pk, several Mandarins were around, Kingfisher and Little Egret.

Osprey over dam end at 8:30 this morning, also 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 145 Black Headed & 2 Great Black Backed & 2 Herring Gulls, 106 Canada Geese, 7 Egyptian Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Lapwing, plus below dam wall 40+ Goldfinch and the Wheatear was in the paddock.

At West End 5 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 LBB Gull was only birds of note plus the usuals this morning.