Category: Sighting

This morning ringing was steady with a mix of Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat in passage through Whillet’s. Other birds of note: Goldfinch, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Song Thrush.
Some other observations at Whillet’s:- Swallow (10), House Martin (30), Swift (1), Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard (3), Kingfisher (2), Goldcrest, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Tawny Owl (on first arrival), Blackbird, Goldfinch (20), Mallard + 3 juvenile and Mandarin.

West End:- 20 Lapwings, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, still 4 juv Great Crested Grebes.
Dam End:- 3 Little Egrets, 8 Pied Wagtails, 72 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Common Tern, 28 Mallard, 1 House Martin, 1 Swallow.

West End:- 70 Great Crested Grebes + 4 juveniles, 20 Lapwing, 10 Mandarin, 2 Moorhen, 1 Little Egret, 3 Swallows.
Whillet’s:- Yellowhammer, male Reed Bunting carrying food, 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Egret flew North, 1 Muntjac Deer, 3 Brown Hawker, 1 Emperor, 1 Common Darter, 2 White-legged Damselfly, 1 Blue-tail Damselfly, 1 adult male Common Lizard, 6 House Martins.
Butterfly Survey:- 25 Gatekeepers, 1 CLOUDED YELLOW, 8 Green-veined White, 2 Large Whites, 33 Meadow Brown, 16 Ringlets, 7 Common Blues, 2 Peacock, 1 Small Heath, 2 Essex Skippers, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, 10 Small Copper, 22 Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Red Admiral, 7 Comma.

West End:- 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Mandarin, Great Crested Grebe with 4 young + 3 more GCG’s on nests, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Swallows, 2 Egyptian Geese, 8 Common Terns, 18 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Moorhen.
Whillet’s:- 1 Reed Warbler in meadow 2, male Yellowhammer singing from wires, 6 Gatekeepers.

Whillet’s saw the first movement of Willow Warblers through the meadow along with a number of other species on passage including: Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Reed Warbler.
Other sightings of note two Kingfisher, two Yellowhammer, three Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk and, best of all, an Osprey sitting on the top of a tree near the Reed bed.   Marbled White Butterfly and a small brown lizard.

West End:- 61 Great Crested Grebe with an adult feeding a brood of 4 young, the first Grebe chicks reported this year at Weir Wood. There are several pairs nesting with birds sitting. 3 Little Egrets, 8 Mandarin, 10 Lapwing, 10 Common Tern, 8 Grey Heron, House Martin, Swallow. Greylag, Canada Geese – Cormorants and Mallard were around but not counted.
Whillet’s:-  male and 2 female/juv Reed Buntings. Brown Hawker and Emperor Dragonfly at Meadow Pond.
Butterfly survey count included: Marbled White, 4 Gatekeeper, 2 Small Copper, 1 Common Blue, 4 Comma, 4 Green-veined white, 17 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet, 15 Small Skipper, 3 Large White, 1 Small White.

Whillet’s:- Ringing late morning after the rain had ceased, saw the start of a movement of Blackcaps. Some of the juvenile birds were moulting their caps showing black feathering; indicating that they were males as well as early bred birds. Other birds of note included a few Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, and a surprising juvenile Stonechat.
Other observations of note included two Kingfishers, Sparrowhawk carrying prey, Raven (honking overhead), 3 Buzzards, Marbled White and Peacock Butterfly.

West End:- 16 Lapwing, 76 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover.