Category: Sighting

Today’s ringing in the study area was interesting. While setting up I noticed a few Goldcrests around and thought there was a good possibility of catching some. But instead I caught a 1st year male Firecrest, which was a surprise. My first for Weir Wood. Other birds of note included: Marsh Tits (one of them a new bird); Coal Tit; Blue Tits; Great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker; Blackbird and a male Bullfinch first ringed in 2016 in excellent condition.
Other sightings:- Buzzard, 2 Siskin, 8 Redwing, 2 Kingfishers, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and a Snipe on the waters edge in the study area.

Whillet’s:- 6 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 8 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing, 1 Kestrel, 3 Jay, 200 Starlings around, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail.
West End:- 4 Mute Swan, 22 Teal. Also Firecrest + Marsh Tit in hand at ringing site. Also 352 Greylag Geese (Bob Johnson).

Whillet’s:- 117 Reed Buntings roosted in the Reed Bed between 14:45-16:30, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail on Meadow Pond, 300+ Redwings roosted in hedge between meadows 2/3, 2 Kestrel.

Rough-legged Buzzard over the reservoir flying south-west over Whillet’s.  Still Snipe, Teal and Gadwall.

Dam End:- Pair of Egyptian Geese on North shore with gulls.

2 Little Grebe, 37 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 235 Greylag, 1m Mandarin, 2m+1f Gadwall, 21 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Raven.

West End – Bill Truckle – 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 9 Lapwing, 5 Teal, 3m+3f Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 395 Greylag, 32 Cormorant, 2 Coot.
Bob Johnson – 1juv Mute Swan, 1f Shoveler.

Whillet’s:- 93 Reed Buntings dropped into the Reed Bed between 15:00-16:30 to roost. 7 Crossbills, 28 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 5 Goldfinch, 25 Lapwings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 20 Redwings, 250 Starlings flew over.
West End:- 5 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Mandarin.

Whillet’s & West end:- 1 Ringed-Necked Parakeet, 1 Kingfisher, 2m 3f Gadwall, pair Wigeon, 42 Mallard, 23 Teal, 2 Coot, 9 Moorhen, 30 Lapwing, 373 Greylag Geese, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 1 Raven, 1 Rook, 2 Common Gulls, 8 Herring Gull, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Brambling, 2f Stonechat, 2 Greenfinch, 56 Starlings, 310 Redwing, 226 Fieldfare, 6 Meadow Pipit, 73 Chaffinch, 3 Jay, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 1 juv Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Ringing in the study area this morning – a 1st year  female Blackcap was trapped, probably one of the last of the year passing through, along with Goldfinch, Goldcrests, Coal Tits and a number of new adult Blue Tits. Other observations:- approximately 350 Greylag Geese,  13 Fieldfare, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Siskin and 8 Goldfinches in a small flock.