Category: Sighting

Mid afternoon at dam,7 Common Sandpipers,1 LRP,3 Hobbies,3 Swifts,18 House Martins,4 Swallows,8 Common Terns.

WeirWood from dawn at the west end to start. Here 5 Common Terns were very upset by the presence of an ad’ Great Black-backed Gull, also there appears to be 2 Black-headed Gull nests. A Little Egret was in the heronry and a Mandarin male was in the area. No less than 5 Reed Warblers were scattered around inc’ 3 at Whillett’s where 3 Reed Buntings were showing. A pair of Great-crested Grebes were still weed dancing but they were the only ones seen this end. In the c/pk a Marsh Tit was noted with the area being full of Blackcaps. At the dam 6 Common Sands were on the dam plus a smart summer Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtails, ad’ Herring Gull and a Little-ringed Plover. On the main body of water just 3 Great-crested Grebes, whilst along the north bank as the sun came up 5 Hobbies were seen, some of which were perched up soaking up the warmth, even at this early hour, I assume they roost here. A couple of Common Terns came up from the other end landing on the aerator. Other birds inc’ Bullfinch in song, Garden Warbler and lots of Blackcaps. On the dam slope 6 Mistle Thrushes inc’ 4 juv’s, a Buzzard and 3 Jays. In the c/pk again a couple of Goldcrests and a Coal Tit. Below the dam Common Whitethroat and another Garden Warbler were seen.

West End:- 2 x Greylag Goose, 12 x Canada Goose, 6 x Mandarin Duck, 7 x Mallard, 1 x Common Pheasant, 1 x Stock Dove, 5 x Common Woodpigeon, 1 x Common Sandpiper, 3 x Black-headed Gull, 7 x Common Tern, 10 x Great Crested Grebe, 27 x Great Cormorant, 2 x Little Egret, 28 x Grey Heron, 2 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 x Carrion Crow, 2 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 2 x Common Reed Warbler, 2 x Common Chiffchaff, 1 x Eurasian Wren, 1 x Song Thrush, 2 x Eurasian Blackbird, 2 x European Robin, 1 x Dunnock

LRP at the south end of the dam tonight, 3 common terns and one BHG on the aerator. 2 mandarins were also on the dam breifly before leaving

Dam end- Mute Swan flew in and landed near the dam,1 LRP.
5 Hobbies hunting on north bank,Red Kite,Kestrel,2 Swallow & 1 House Martin.3 Mandarins around.

West end from Lay-by,2 Singing Reed Warblers,2+ House Sparrows in stubble field,Sparrowhawk,GBB Gull,2 Little Egrets,Mandarin and usual Common Terns & Black headed gulls around rafts.

Dam end. 1 LRP, here’s a thought, the other on a nest? 6 Cmn Tern, 6 Cmn Buzz, 1 Red Kite, 2 Hobby, 2 GCG, a few each of Greylag and Canada. Egyptians-only2 adults, no young. 2 Mallard, 3 drk Mandarin.

West End:- 9 x Greylag Goose, 12 x Canada Goose, 1 x Mute Swan, 4 x Egyptian Goose, 8 x Mandarin Duck, 7 x Mallard, 1 x Stock Dove, 6 x Black-headed Gull, 1 x Great Black-backed Gull, 5 x Common Tern, 6 x Great Crested Grebe, 25 x Great Cormorant, 1 x Little Egret, 2 x Common Buzzard, 1 x Common Kingfisher, 1 x Common Magpie, 2 x Carrion Crow, 2 x Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 x Common Reed Warbler, 1 x Barn Swallow, 2 x Common Chiffchaff, 2 x Eurasian Blackcap, 1 x Eurasian Wren, 1 x Eurasian Blackbird, 1 x Dunnock, 1 x Common Chaffinch

Late afternoon with James and Keith still the summer plumage Dunlin and little ringed Plover on dam.
3 Hobbies hunting over the Reservoir also 5 Swifts.
Bullfinch calling behind us,2 Swallows ,4 Common Terns and some Buzzsrds.

Arrived at Dam end 4.00pm Goshawk over North bank and a single Dunlin on the Dam. A Buzzard along south bank . Not bad first few minutes .

Morning visit dam end, no birds on the dam this morning, 2 common terns, 4 GCG, 2 stock dove behind the dam

West end good amount of mandarin at least 11, 4 common tern nesting on the rafts and a pair of black headed doing the dam, 5 gcg, counted 20 cormorants and 12 herons on the heronry, also had 2 reed warbler.