March 16th.( Late Evening)

Late evening 17-55 / 18-40,
24 Goosanders roosted this evening, only 7 came in before dusk. Also a Barn Owl circled the sewage farm then flew over the fields at the western end at 18-30 ( B Kington).

March 16th.

A late afternoon visit in hope of a few migrants 15-00 / 16-15 , weather overcast strong north east wind. Sailing boats were still out on the main pool so all the ducks had moved off, I walked slowly around in hope of an early Chiffchaff as Lee had found one the previous day, but no such look. I had also hoped for Sand Martin over the main pool but alas no look again. Down at the eastern end a small group of Tufted ducks, 8 Little Grebe and 29 Great Crested Grebe. The small pool being more sheltered had several more Great Crested Grebes, 38 Tufted Duck but no Wigeon at all. 2 Green Woodpeckers were feeding on the short grass and 2 Greylags flew west. Along Bixhill Lane still a small number of Pied Wags in the ploughed field, this field is looking good and should bring in Wheatear and Yellow Wag. Two Red Legged Partridge were still along the back edge of the field, and around 30+ Lapwing. Next onto the horse paddock and to my suprise 1 Tree Sparrow in full view along with small numbers of Goldfinch, Chaffinch , Greenfinch, 1 lone Redwing and 11 Long-tailed Tits. Back to the car park and a pair of Goosanders had just landed at the western end a Kingfisher flushed from the overhanging vegetation, and around 70 Wood Pigeons flying west.( S Seal).

March 15th.

Weather, Overcast light south west wind.
A quick look from the car park this morning at 9-00, just one pair of Goosanders left from last night, and around 60+ Wigeon feeding over the far side. (S Seal). This afternoon the first Chiffchaff back calling from the hedgerow by sewage treatment works, (L Johnson).

March 14th.

Weather dry sunny and light southerly winds, 14-30 / 16-00. Very quite at the pool today, a steady walk around with Kay and Max (thanks for the company guys), found 68 Wigeon on the main pool, and 35 on the small pool, also 11 Little Grebe and around 20 Great Crested Grebes. Smaller numbers of Tufted and Coots noted today. Along Bixhill lane still around 20 + Pied Wagtails, a small party off Lapwing and only 2 Red Legged Partridge. No Tree Sparrows again at the Horse Paddocks and smaller numbers of Chaffinch and Goldfinch. I made a return visit at 18-15 on my way home and found that 15 Goosanders had come into roost again at the western end of the main pool (9 redheads & 6 drakes). S Seal.

March 8th.

8-30 / 9-40 a strong south west wind overcast. Water levels are now increasing. Main pool very quite only 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Pieds on the shore line, wildfowl numbers 19 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Wigeon (all feeding around the small pool), 28 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe, 37 Mallard, 62 Coot, 2 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, and 8 Moorhen. Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush and 5 Redwing feeding on the short grass around the small pool. Along Bixhill Lane 33 Pied Wagtails feeding in ploughed field, the field looks good for Wheatear and Yellow Wags ?. Also present along the lane several Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer, and 4 Red Legged Partridge. Around the Horse Paddock 2 more Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrush and Bullfinch , no sign of any Tree Sparrows. Back at the car park a drake Shoveler noted at the western end, nice to see these at Shustoke , they are more frequent at nearby Ladywalk and on cliff pool Kingsbury where the water levels are lower , all the Pochard now seem to have moved on. Also present this morning 2 Grey Heron, 2 LBB Gulls and a Common Gull. (S Seal).

March 7th.

Drake Wigeon on the small pool.

A steady walk around late afternoon, south west wind sunny.
3 Grey Wagtails along the shore by the car park, very little on the main pool . Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers by the small pool, 37 Wigeon and18 Pochard still also 3 Gadwall and a female Ruddy Duck. Along Bixhill lane 2 Yellowhammers and 7 Linnet and 2 Red legged Partridge at the back of the ploughed field. Around the Horse paddocks it was very quite but 1 Tree Sparrow found feeding with the Chaffinchs. Back at the car park i noted a redhead Goosander had come onto the main pool, looking a little further to the western end i saw 5 more Goosanders 3 more redheads and 2 drakes.Gull numbers were down but 19 Common Gull and 26 Lesser Black backs noted. (S Seal).

March 1st.

A quick visit and view from the car park this morning at 8-00, overcast and very strong westerlies 7. Viewing made difficult with the wind, one female Goosander and around 50+ Wigeon, very little else seen on the main pool.
(S Seal, D Hutton).