Southern Water has installed a row of anti-trespass devices on the top of the dam. They have movement sensors that activate warning sirens and flashing lights. Cameras automatically photograph whatever sets them off. They are being called static drones by Southern Water. A new fence is due to be installed at the dam wall.
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.
