Category: Sighting

Had a great view of the Great Northern Diver this p.m. It seem totally nonplussed by the orange kayak and could get comfortably within 50 metres as I did last Tuesday. Last week it was in front of Don Smith’s seat ; today offshore near the picnic site. It caught a crayfish then dived and stayed under forever…which could explain why it is not being spotted.

West End: 21 Gadwall, 17 Teal, 3 Mandarin, 1 Coot.

Dam End: 15 Siskins flying over, 1 Kestrel, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing.

West End:  1 Black Swan, 19 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 1 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 2 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit and numerous Blue & Great Tits.

Dam end: c.2000 Black-headed Gulls, 20+ Common Gulls and several Herring Gulls were noted in a quick check of the gull roost. Also seen were 2 Pied Wagtail.

West End: Black Swan seen from hide.

West End: Black Swan.

West End: 1 Black Swan, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 27 Teal.

Great Northern Diver – also seen on 28 and 29th November by others.

Nice to find an adult Great Northern Diver in winter plumage at the Reservoir this morning. It was favouring the south bank, mid reservoir – best viewed from the picnic area on the north bank. Bob Johnstone also came and viewed it, it seemed to be finding the crayfish easy to catch. A Woodcock was flushed near the car park. At the west end five Common Pochard were new in, and an hour at the reed bed late afternoon added Water Rail and 76 Reed Buntings coming in to roost.

West End; pm: 152 Greylag, 42 Teal,  4 Common Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Marsh Tit.

Whillets; pm: 10 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing, 3 Moorhen and a Green Woodpecker was heard. Reed-bed roost  (15:00 to 16:15)  28 Reed Bunting came in and 6 were seen to leave; earlier arrivals were feeding on the reed seed heads. About 200 Starling roosted around 16:00. This drew the attention of a Sparrowhawk that dashed around the top of the reed-bed; but the birds kept low and stayed.

West End; pm: 13 Mandarin, 15 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 1 Buzzard,  1 Kingfisher.

West End: The highlight was 1M+2F Goldeneye that stayed all morning near Pintail Bank, also 8 Snipe. 4 Lapwing, 37 Teal, 36 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c.50 Greylag, 17 Gadwall, 36 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 flyover Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey & 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Nuthatch, several Goldfinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll on seed heads in front of viewing area – see photo.