Category: Sighting

Whillets Meadows Reed-bed roost count from 14:45 to 16:30:-   110 Reed Bunting came in to reed-bed  over that period in singles and small groups,  c1260 Starling came in to roost, the biggest individual flock entering was approx 400 in size, rest entered in much smaller groups. The noise from the reed-bed at the end was amazing with this number of Starlings all chattering. A male Sparrowhawk was around  for awhile and made several attempts to fly through the circling Starling groups and take a bird but only achieving to keep splitting up the group, eventually it gave up and left. Also heard were 2 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen and a Tawny Owl. A Kingfisher flew through and Grey Wagtail flew over. Redwings & Jackdaws were seen flying NE over towards their roosting sites, Also plenty of Gulls flying over going SE toward the Dam end to roost on the water.

Whillet’s:- Between 15:00 & 16:30 A minimum of 250 Redwing came in to roost along tree line of second meadow and over 500 Starling dropped in to the reed-bed to roost. A small number of Fieldfare were also seen amongst the Redwings flying in. A Tawny Owl & Kingfisher were heard, plus a Buzzard flew over late in the day.

West End:  27 Stock Dove, 4 Egyptian Geese.

WeBS counts + other sightings plus Reed-bed roost count.   ALL RESERVOIR:-  27 GC Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Egyptian Geese, 20 Mallard + 1 Feral Domestic bird, 2 Buzzard, 6 Moorhen, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Goldcrest, 7 LT Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 5 Chaffinch, 23 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch.       DAM END:- 1F Goosander briefly early morning before becoming disturbed and flying off, 60 BH Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song thrush, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Yellowhammer.      WEST END:-  25 Cormorant, 358 Greylag + 1 Canada/Greylag hybrid, 8 Canada Geese, 11 Stock Dove, 2 GS Woodpecker.     WHILLET’S:-  2 Mandarin fly over, 1 Sparrowhawk at reed-bed very interested in Starling roost, 560 Starling actually came into reed-bed and roosted plus 131 Reed Bunting came into red-bed between 14:00 & 16:30 to roost, 40 Pheasant roosted in surrounding trees, 2 Water Rail heard, A Tawny Owl was heard, pair of Stonechat in the meadows, At least 60 Fieldfare & 70+ Redwing were seen flying over the latter to roost in nearby trees, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Raven seen doing flight display.

West End Study area: A very productive morning ringing session with 42 Blue Tit, 6 Coal Tit, 10 Great Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Robin, 1 Blackbird (possibly a continental migrant bird), 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest.

West End:- 2 Egyptian Geese plus 2 more flew high east, 3 Moorhen, 1 Common Gull, 8 Redwings, 2 Marsh Tits.

Reed-bed Roosts:- 155 Reed Buntings and 615 Starlings entered the reed bed in small flocks between 14:40 & 16:30. The large numbers seen yesterday by Alastair failed to appear. Also 1 Moorhen, Water Rail heard, flocks of Wood Pigeons and Redwings were flying over,  many of which were coming in to roost in trees within the meadows. 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush flyover.

A great day in the sunshine. Lots of birds with the best being: 2 Brent Geese over the West End headed SW. Also 16
Redpolls, Water Rail near the hide and Stonechat below the dam.

Whillet’s:- 1500-1800 Starlings roosted 3,000 more flew NW towards Hedgecourt, 176 Reed Buntings roosted, 2 Water Rails heard plus a Tawny Owl, 17 Lesser Redpolls flew over as did around 200 Redwings.

West End:-  1m Pochard, 1m+1f Tufted Duck, 2m+1f Mandarin, 150+ Greylag, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Buzzard, 52 Black-headed Gull, 100+ Wood Pigeon.
At feeders:- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 10+ Blue Tit, 3+ Great Tit, Nuthatch heard.