Wednesday 19th November

Spent the morning around the Reservoir and had a reasonable time. There were four Goosander, two Goldeneye, 42 Pochard, 9 Shoveller plus 40+ Lapwing and Common Sandpiper.

I saw two Willow Tit today as well the first time I have seen two for quite a while. There were still a few Meadow Pipit in the area but all-in-all it was the usual suspects. The gull roost appeared to have ceased as there were very few birds this evening.

Monday 17th November

Took a walk around late afternoon and found that the Common Sandpiper was still present, that really is a late date. Also the first Goosander with three females on site.

As promised Snow Bunting

Female Snow Bunting, Malvern Ridge

Thursday13th November

Finally found time. Thursday saw the return of the Shag as well as a Little Egret, generally though it was quiet with the passage of thrushes from the previous days drying up.

Walked the Malvern Ridge of Saturday in poor weather but did see the Snow Bunting at the Worcestershire Beacon (photo’s to follow).

Monday 10th November

Had a couple of walks around today, with the highlight being a Common Sandpiper, however I could not find that on Tuesday. I saw two species today for the first time this year at the Reservoir, Tawny Owl and Nuthatch. There are still good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing passing through and a few Meadow Pipit remain.

Thursday 6th November

Got over just after 8am this morning and the Shag was present but I could not locate it later, it was tucked into the south shore. It was a good day overall with over 2,000 Wood Pigeon moving south. There was a steady flow of Fieldfare and Redwing with a few Meadow Pipit and a couple of Skylark all heading south as well.

On the lake there were a good variety of wildfowl with 3 Goldeneye, 5 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 12 Shoveler, c.120 Tufted Duck, c.80 Mallard and c.600 Coot.

10 Red-crested Pochard in a day!!!

Last Friday saw me in Cleveland ticking Eastern Crowned Warbler, two ticks in a week! With having plenty of time in the week I don’t cover the Reservoir as much at weekends now, but Sunday saw my first flock of Fieldfare for the winter with around 40 birds flying over.

I had to drop my son off in Rugby (new job) so I spent most of the day at Draycote Water, I had an enjoyable time the highlights of which were Raven and four Red-crested Pochard, this small group were joined by another male on my second walk around. I received a text from Steve Haynes to say there were five at Shustoke. When I got home Joy and I took a stroll around the Reservoir seeing the said five RCP, 4 male, 1 female. The Shag was back, it was sat on top of the boat moored in the centres of the Reservoir, don’t know where it keeps disappearing too.

We will have to see what the predicted change in the weather will bring!