I hope everyone has had a good Xmas, ours has been quiet but enjoyable. The last one as a complete family as my eldest is moving out in the New Year, so it was quiet sad for my wife, I on the other hand will be doing cartwheels!
Anyway after a stunning Xmas lunch we walked to and round the Reservoir, it was remarkably quiet, people and bird wise. Around a dozen Goosander came into roost and there were counts of 26 Pochard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, c.60 Mallard, c.70 Tufted Duck. Passerines were noticeable by there absence although there were several Meadow Pipit on the damp meadow at the west end.
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Sunday 8th December
Finally, I found the time to get over the Reservoir not once but twice. After a day out birding with the Captain in Lancashire – Baikal Teal – where we met some of the Tame Valley’s finest, today it was my regular haunts.
First thing I had a wander around, unfortunately it coincided with the speed boat going out and the wildfowl departing. At first it was really slow but it became apparent that there were a lot of Redwings around. In the trees and fields adjacent to the railway line behind the small pool there were Redpoll, Siskin, Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbirds. Feeding on the edge of the recently ploughed field were a group of a dozen or so Yellowhammer and over 30 Stock Dove.
The small pool held c.70 Pochard, c.120 Tufted and 2 Gadwall. One of the surprises was that there were only five Great Crested Grebe, whilst numbers peak in late summer I don’t think I have ever counted less than 40 birds in the past!
Later in the day I paid a return trip and saw the same with the addition of Sparrowhawk, c.100 Lapwing flying overhead and a singing Mistle Thrush, I know it was a good day but singing!
First thing I had a wander around, unfortunately it coincided with the speed boat going out and the wildfowl departing. At first it was really slow but it became apparent that there were a lot of Redwings around. In the trees and fields adjacent to the railway line behind the small pool there were Redpoll, Siskin, Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbirds. Feeding on the edge of the recently ploughed field were a group of a dozen or so Yellowhammer and over 30 Stock Dove.
The small pool held c.70 Pochard, c.120 Tufted and 2 Gadwall. One of the surprises was that there were only five Great Crested Grebe, whilst numbers peak in late summer I don’t think I have ever counted less than 40 birds in the past!
Later in the day I paid a return trip and saw the same with the addition of Sparrowhawk, c.100 Lapwing flying overhead and a singing Mistle Thrush, I know it was a good day but singing!
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