Category: Sighting

WeirWood from 6:00hrs, starting at the dam. Here the Little-ringed Plover was still present plus a smart Greenshank amongst the Pied and a Grey Wagtail, over the dam 20 Swifts at least plus a few House Martins. Over the water Black-headed Gull and a Common Tern, an ad’ Great Black-backed Gull flew in also. Along the north bank an early Hobby was seen at least twice as it dashed in and out of the bushes. The Greenshank flew off NE at 6:35. On the dam slope a Green Woodpecker male again and 7 Mistle Thrushes inc’ 4 juv’s. In the c/pk a smart male Bullfinch, crazy views of a handsome Jay and a Garden Warbler.

Moving on to the west end here the terns and gulls seem to be doing okay with the 3 Black-headed Gull chicks already growing fast. A pair of Kingfishers showed well on the newly erected stick in front of the viewing area and the Little Egrets were thankfully still around. To round off nicely a couple of Red Kites passed over, always a pleasure to see.

Work Party reported a Moorhen with 5 young at Whillet’s reed-bed. West End – 2 Mute Swan , 42 Greylag., 1 kingfisher on new sticks we had only just put out today near water edge in front of car park viewing area.

Dam End (PM) in rain and wind :-still 1 Little ringed Plover, 25+ Swifts 2 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Great Black Backed gull, 2 Black headed Gulls, 3 Herring gulls, 4 Common Terns.

West End (Am):- confirmed Little Egret is still on nest, when its mate flew in to feed it.

Whillets:- Meadow and Larger Skipper butterflies.

WeirWood at the dam ca7:00hrs was quiet with just 2 Stock Doves and a Jay on the top of the dam, plus plenty of Pied Wagtails inc’ youngsters on the concrete.

At the west end a Little Egret adult in smart plumage was present but not at the nest. 3 Kingfishers were present opposite the hide and a pair of Great-crested Grebe have chicks. The Black-headed Gulls have 3 chicks and the Common Terns are still sitting. Around the hide area a Marsh Tit was noted plus singing Reed Warbler, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. 2 Red Kites flew over at 7:15 plus 3 Buzzards in tow. Also of note were 3 Bullfinches around the c/pk, 2 females and a male. At 7:50 the bird of the day appeared over Admirals Wood viewed from the north bank, when a male Honey Buzzard flew over circled around for a minute or so before disappearing back towards Ashdown.

West End:- Great Crested Grebe with 4 young in front of hide another by Plaw hatch stream with 1+ young. Now 2 Black Headed gull chicks with adult still sitting, another pair of Black Headed gulls were on left raft all afternoon. 2 Kingfishers, 3 Coots, 27 Herring gull, 2 Lesser Black Backed gulls, Reed warbler, 35 Greylags but no sign of any Little Egrets.

West End:- 10 x Greylag Goose, 3 x Canada Goose, 4 x Mandarin Duck, 1 x Mallard, 2 x Common Pheasant, 7 x Stock Dove, 2 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Swift, 1 x Eurasian Coot, 5 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x Great Black-backed Gull, 5 x Common Tern, 9 x Great Crested Grebe, 27 x Great Cormorant, 17 x Grey Heron, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 2 x Common Magpie, 2 x Carrion Crow, 5 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 2 x Great Tit, 1 x Common Reed Warbler, 2 x Barn Swallow, 1 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Song Thrush, 2 x Eurasian Blackbird, 2 x European Robin

West End:- 2 fledged young Kingfishers being fed.

Dam End:- 3 Hobbies along north bank viewed from sailing club (pm). Twice a Hobby seen high over the clubhouse. Loads of Mayflies still.

Dam End:- WeirWood from 6:30 at the dam. Still a pair of Little-ringed Plovers but little else other than a adult Great Black-backed Gull and Common Tern.

West End:- the terns and Black-headed Gulls were still sitting, there were 5 birds present today. The Little Egrets have at least one nest in the heronry I’m delighted to say. Not easy to see admittedly and there maybe another. Other species inc’ 2 Kingfishers, several Mandarins, mostly males and 24 variously aged Herring Gulls all bathing in a tight group just behind the nesting platforms. 2 Reed Warblers were still about, 3 Stock Doves and a Barn Owl were along Pintail bank. The Common Terns did not like any of the gulls approaching their nests driving off all comers. A male Peregrine appeared at 7:26 over the west end and moved off west. A pleasant visit.