Thursday 31 December 2009

31st December

2 Goosander were again present. Ruddy Duck had increased to 3 birds, with 4 Gadwall also on the main pool. The Marsh tit was present with a small tit flock along the stream between both pools, as was a Treecreeper.
L Johnson...

Tuesday 29 December 2009

29th December

A Yellow legged Gull was present during the morning on the main pool.
P Forbes...

A single drake Goosander was on the main pool with a Ruddy Duck. The site was otherwise quiet.
L Johnson...

27th December

17 Goosander were present
P Forbes...

Friday 25 December 2009

24th December

Another site year tick came in the form of a Woodcock. An influx of this species into the midlands in recent weeks has led to much searching of likley areas of the site. Today all the searching finally paid off, with a single bird flushed from along the river at the eastern end. The bird flew off low north east between the trees and off site. Yesterdays female Ruddy duck was still on the main pool along with 4 Gadwall and a single female Goldeneye. 2 drake and 2 female Goosander were present mid afternoon, before being joined by a further 2 drakes before dusk. Other species noted included 8 RL Partridge, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Redpoll, Grey Wagtail and a Yellowhammer (over).
L Johnson...

Wednesday 23 December 2009

23rd December

The first year tick for the site for several weeks was a long overdue female Ruddy Duck. Present at the east end of the main pool late morning. The fact that it has taken this long to get the species on to the site yearlist, just goes to show the effect of the national cull so far. A single drake Teal was present on the small pool before moving to the river, whilst Wigeon numbers on the small pool had risen to 76. The Marsh tit was in the regular spot, with several siskin also around the eastern end of the site. A 2nd winter Herring Gull was present early afternoon with 5+ Common Gull.
L Johnson...

22nd December

2 drake Goosander were again at the western end of the main pool mid morning, before flying off towards Ladywalk. Two Grey Wagtail were also noted.
P Johnson...

Tuesday 22 December 2009

21st December

2 drake Goosander were present mid morning at the west end of the main pool. These were later joined at around mid day by a further 2 drakes and a female. The female Goldeneye was again at the eastern end of the main pool.
L Johnson...

Saturday 19 December 2009

December 19th

Both pools were partially frozen over this morning, with the majority of duck being concentrated at the east end of the main pool. Presumably as a result of other surrounding pools being frozen, Wigeon numbers jumped to 51. 3 Gadwall were present on the main pool, with a Female Goosander arriving in the centre of the main pool mid morning. The Goosander was then seen flying east along the river at around 11am. The usual female Goldeneye was also still present.
L Johnson...

Wednesday 16 December 2009

16th December

Wigeon numbers continue to build, with 28 birds present this morning. The single female Goldeneye was still on the main pool, but coot and other diving duck numbers were lower than the previous week. A minimum of 7 Redpoll joined the rather mobile Siskin flock at the east end of the site. The Marsh tit was again in its favoured spot, flitting between the eastern most rail crossing and the bridge north of the fishing lodge. Around 300 Wood pigeon were roosting in the trees around the sewage works at first light, but soon departed. Other species of note included a Grey Wagtail and 4 Goldcrest.
L Johnson...

14th December

A single female Goldeneye was present again in the centre of the main pool. The site was otherwise quiet.
L Johnson...

Friday 11 December 2009

11 December

The fog this morning made checking the pools hard work. Once the fog began to lift a single female Goldeneye became visable in the centre of the main pool. 3 Shovler (2 drakes) also on the main pool, were unusual. Wigeon numbers increased on the small pool to 9 birds. The Marsh tit was in the same spot as on Wednesday. An adult and 1st winter Herring Gull were present late morning.
L Johnson...

Wednesday 9 December 2009

9 December

2 female Goldeneye were present in the centre of the main pool late morning. The small pool had finally began to attract the first few Wigeon of the regular wintering flock, with 2 drakes and 2 ducks. Interestingly the group that overwinter on site didn't begin to build in numbers until mid December last year (dispite other sites locally reaching regular wintering numbers around the middle of November) and looks set to do the same this year. The Marsh Tit was with a single Coal tit, Goldcrest and Treecreeper by the inlet for the small pool. With a second Treecreeper in the eastern corner. A Grey Wagtail was also noted.
L Johnson...

Friday 4 December 2009

4 December

A Peregrine flew high south to the east of the site. Otherwise the area was very quiet, with no sign of any of Tuesday's Goldeneye. Several Siskin and a single Grey Wagtail were the only other birds of note.
L Johnson...

Tuesday 1 December 2009

1st December

After several records of single female goldeneyes in the last few weeks, possibly as a result of the cold weather, 5 birds were present this morning (including 1 drake). This is a rather high count for the site, with no more than 2 birds recorded together in the past 12 months. The Marsh tit was in a small tit flock along the railway line at the west end of the site. 3 Goldcrest and a Coal tit were also scattered along the railway line. Several small groups of siskin were around the site, along with a single Redpoll.
L Johnson...