West End: 4 Coots, 2 Moorhen, 3 Common Snipe, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 8 Mallard, 4 Stock Doves, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding in meadow on Pintail Bank.

Wetland Bird Survey

Dam End: 3 Skylarks at far end of dam wall, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Redwing, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 26 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Mallard, 25 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Whillets: Green Woodpecker, 2 Moorhen.

West End: Heronry – 35 Grey Herons with 27 occupied nests. 8 further Great Crested Grebe, 21 Cormorant, 2 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, pair of Teal, pair of Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 1F Goldeneye, 4 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 2 Common Gull, 10 Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove heard, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard,

Feeders: Plenty of Blue & Great Tits, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 6+ Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin.

Theft – please can you help?
A thief has visited the site and stolen 2 nut feeders and 2 seed feeders. It seems that some people can be very mean and selfish. On Wednesday 24th February all the feeders were still there at lunch time; but by next morning the 4 feeders were missing. If anyone saw anything unusual during that period perhaps you can let us know. Please contact info@weirwood.me.uk thank you.

West End: I was taking photos of a Great Crested Grebe diving in front of the John Cooper hide when I saw a white bird coming across from the north bank. It was only when it was half way across that I realised it was a Barn Owl. I couldn’t get my camera to change focus quick enough to get a shot but it was a lovely sight anyway. The grebe must have seen it as it set off at a pace toward the middle of the water.

West End: The heronry is now moving into full swing. 29 Herons with 22 nests noted, some birds are actually sitting on nests. But later arrivals are still building and can be seen flying in with sticks. Of interest was the return of the leucistic (white) heron which was standing at a nest, so possibly paired and nesting.
The water bird numbers are still low, with only 4 Coot, 6 Gadwall and 9 Mallard noted plus a couple of pairs of Great Crested Grebes which are starting to display.
The feeders are busy with mainly Blue & Great Tits, but also Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and occasional Siskin with Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins, Moorhens, Mallards and Pheasants on the ground mopping up any spillage. We also have singing Song Thrushes these are more obvious at Whillet’s Pool area.

Seen by work party: 3 Common Buzzards displaying over Admiral’s Woods.

Seen by Bob Johnson: West End: Singing Song Thrush, Nuthatch heard; on the feeders; 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Siskin. 1 Tree Creeper seen on North bank. At the dam end 47 Cormorants and at the gull roost c.3000 Black-headed Gulls and 30+ Common Gulls.

Whillet’s: 1 Kingfisher, 5 Redpoll in Alder trees.

West End:  17 Grey Heron at heronry – 14 nests now fully active with some  birds sitting. 1F Goldeneye, 8 flyover Fieldfare.   Around feeder area: 1M Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Creeper, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, a pair of Marsh Tits (giving song and pairing display), 4 Goldfinch and 1 Siskin.

North Bank: 1 Mute Swan, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15+ Grey Heron. 11 nests are now occupied in the heronry.

Whillet’s: 2 Snipe and 2 Kingfishers.

West End: 1 Buzzard, 13 Lapwing and 5 Coot.

West End: 50+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Mallard,1 Pheasant, 2 Rook, 2 Tufted Duck, 6+ Blue Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Great Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Common Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 3 Woodpigeon.