There was a male Brambling under the high trapeze bar feeders – on the ground feeding with about 6 Chaffinches.
Month: December 2017
Whillet’s:- 235 Reed Buntings roosted in reed bed between 14:30-16:00; Water Rail heard, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Wrens, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Mallard, 2 Canada Geese, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron. Flying over: 475 Starlings, 82 Redwings, 26 Fieldfares, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch and 2 Long-tailed Tits.
Managed to see 115 Species at the Reservoir during 2017
(Great effort – and thanks for all your reports – Ed.)
One male Brambling – briefly on the feeders to the right of the hide. Thanks to the lady from Eastbourne who first spotted it.
On Saturday 23rd December we rang the reedbed ~ 35 new Reed Buntings, 1 from November 2016 and 2 from 3.12.17 – also 1 Wren. We have ringed about 90 Reed Buntings this winter
Ringing in The Study Area:- a number of Blue Tit and Great Tit were rung along with Coal Tit,Wren, Robin and Blackbird. Of note were 3 Marsh Tits. Two were re-traps and one was a new bird. Marsh Tits appear to be doing well at Weir Wood this year. Other sightings included Sparrowhawk,3 Bullfinch and Buzzard.
Quick look back on the year – managed to add 8 species to my patch list which now stands at 134.
1 Oystercatcher
2 Wood Sandpiper
3 Mediterranean Gull
4 Sandwich Tern
5 Sedge Warbler
6 Spotted Flycatcher
7 Whinchat
8 Hawfinch
The gulls are enjoying the new raft already. Many thanks to the team who built it and to those who helped launch it this week. Photo by Bob Stokes.
New Tern Raft 21-12-17
Whillet’s:- 1 Buzzard, 1 Bullfinch heard.
Reed bed viewed from road:- 1 Water Rail seen close, after hearing alarm call there was a commotion and I think there were possibly 2 Water rails. Also 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen.
West End from hide:- 17 Cormorant, 7 Gadwall, 5 Mandarin, 2 Teal, 24 Mallard, 1m Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coot, c.40 flyover Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Common Gull, 1 juv Herring Gull, 12 Stock Dove in trees, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper.
Feeders:- The usual; including 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit.
From the hide at The West End today (14.05-14.53):- Generally quiet – 20 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Gadwall,18 Mallard, 3 Mandarin, 3 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 9 Cormorants, 1 Kingfisher, numerous Woodpigeons. On and around the feeders:- 4 Great Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Pheasant, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1Dunnock, 1 Wren, 1f Chaffinch.