The two Gt Northern Diver were present despite a lot of boat activity, one was reported today 20th December. I counted the wildfowl on Sunday and there were over 150 Pochard, 200 Tufted Duck but the Wigeon appear to have moved on.
The Alder along the railway line have held both Redpoll and Siskin in the last week but on the whole it has been quite – bird wise at least.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Boxing Day
Had a good walk from home to Shustoke and back and saw around 80 Yellowhammer in two flocks near to the main road. At the Reservoir there was a single Barnacle Goose with the Canada Geese no doubt it was a feral bird but nice just the same.
The two Gt Northern Diver were at the east end avoiding the boats and I have to say they look settled. It was packed with people around the Reservoir today with quite a few birders present. There was a good flock of Siskin and Redpoll in the Alders along the railway line, but on the whole it was quite quiet.
The two Gt Northern Diver were at the east end avoiding the boats and I have to say they look settled. It was packed with people around the Reservoir today with quite a few birders present. There was a good flock of Siskin and Redpoll in the Alders along the railway line, but on the whole it was quite quiet.
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
CHRISTMAS DAY
Yesterday (Xmas Eve) there were over 100 Pochard and Tufted Duck present and 27 Goosander as well as the long-staying pair of Gt Northern Diver.
Today we walked the dog around Hams Hall with a view to searching for Waxwing, we drew a blank but saw several Chiffchaff and a Green Sandpiper near to the Outflow. There were good numbers of passerines in the roadside trees but nothing out of the ordinary.
I checked out the fields near Hollyland which a couple of years ago held good numbers of finches and bunting and the odd Tree Sparrow. Today there were around 100 Chaffinch and around 15 Yellowhammer but nothing else. The Tree Sparrow population in this area appears to have crashed. I haven’t had one in my garden for over a year. In 2005 I had five pairs nesting in the garden and 48 young were ringed and regularly used to see upto 40 on my feeders – but not now!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Today we walked the dog around Hams Hall with a view to searching for Waxwing, we drew a blank but saw several Chiffchaff and a Green Sandpiper near to the Outflow. There were good numbers of passerines in the roadside trees but nothing out of the ordinary.
I checked out the fields near Hollyland which a couple of years ago held good numbers of finches and bunting and the odd Tree Sparrow. Today there were around 100 Chaffinch and around 15 Yellowhammer but nothing else. The Tree Sparrow population in this area appears to have crashed. I haven’t had one in my garden for over a year. In 2005 I had five pairs nesting in the garden and 48 young were ringed and regularly used to see upto 40 on my feeders – but not now!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Saturday 22 December
On Friday the Captain and I spend the afternoon at Coton and saw the Long-tailed Duck, there was also a mixed flock of Redpoll and Siskin along the railway line. Today, I caught up with two Waxwings adjacent to the BMW island at Hams Hall. I took my life in my hands trying to photograph them with the amount of traffic going up and down that road.
I checked out Shustoke, and the two Gt Northern Diver were still present and a Kingfisher flew over the reservoir. The boats were out so I assume most of the wildfowl had moved to the small pool.
I checked out Shustoke, and the two Gt Northern Diver were still present and a Kingfisher flew over the reservoir. The boats were out so I assume most of the wildfowl had moved to the small pool.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Sunday 16th December
Haven’t had the time recently but I managed to get over today to carry out my Wildfowl count for the BTO. There was as usual a lot of activity with what looked like a full blown race taking place at the sailing club. This resulted in both the Gt Northern Divers being penned in down the east end. One of them took off flew around a little and decided to land again.
There were good numbers of wildfowl on the small pool but apart from the Gt Northern it was quite quiet although I found three ***** Duck amongst the raft of Gt Crested Grebe. There was a Nuthatch calling and a good number of mixed finches around the Paddocks but on the whole it was quiet.
Wildfowl numbers:
2 Great Northern Diver
20 Little Grebe
42 Great Crested Grebe
2 Great Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
1 Mute Swan
3 Canada Geese
11 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
28 Mallard
68 Pochard
140 Tufted Duck
3 ***** Duck
4 Moorhen
108 Coot
There were good numbers of wildfowl on the small pool but apart from the Gt Northern it was quite quiet although I found three ***** Duck amongst the raft of Gt Crested Grebe. There was a Nuthatch calling and a good number of mixed finches around the Paddocks but on the whole it was quiet.
Wildfowl numbers:
2 Great Northern Diver
20 Little Grebe
42 Great Crested Grebe
2 Great Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
1 Mute Swan
3 Canada Geese
11 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
28 Mallard
68 Pochard
140 Tufted Duck
3 ***** Duck
4 Moorhen
108 Coot
Sunday, 9 December 2012
Friday 7th December
Managed to get over on Friday afternoon with both Gt Northern Divers present. There were two Goosander, c.50 Pochard and a ***** Duck. (DEFRA). That was a first for me for the year. There was little else but the Divers are still present today Friday.
Monday, 3 December 2012
Sunday 2nd December
I saw reports that there were still two Gt Northern Diver present but I only saw the one (juvenile). The Common Scoter appeared to have left also. There were a few other wildfowl around with four Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, c.30 Pochard. There was little else of note on a busy day around the reservoir.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
