2 oystercatcher have returned to the reserve, a male was first recorded on the 7th. and a female arrive almost 2 weeks later. They are probably the same pair from previous years, as the female can be identified by her damaged foot.
Other exciting visitors included a red-head female smew (12th.) that stayed for several days, a rare sight at Sandwell Valley, a male pintail, which was around most of the month, a black-tailed godwit (22nd.), a yellow-legged gull was identified on the same day and 4 greylag geese (15th.).
In the early part of the month most of the lake was frozen but in a small patch of open water most of the waterbirds had gathered including 2 male goldeneye, with their heads bent backwards over their backs, displaying to the females. Also 2 little grebe, a great-crested grebe, 34 goosander, 16 shoveler, 15 teal, 14 gadwall, 10 pochard, 8 mute swan and numerous tufted and mallard were concentrated in this area. A flypast by 2 kingfisher added to this.
Later in the month, the newly landscaped marsh area with its much higher water level attracted many of these species as well as 40 wigeon grazing on the grassy areas
Lapwing numbers peaked at 106 (8th.) and a snipe count produced 60 common snipe and 8 jack snipe (29th.)
Other birds recorded around the reserve were siskin, goldcrest, 2 water rail, song thrush and mistle thrush, 5 ring-necked parakeet, grey wagtail, great-spotted woodpecker and small flocks of fieldfare and redwing. Around the feeders were various finch species, notably 6 pairs of bullfinch as well as various tit species including a couple of elusive willow tit and several reed bunting.
Compiled by Colin Sedgwick
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards