There have been regular, almost daily, sightings of water rail in the reeds on the bank opposite the hide with up to 3 birds sighted (25th.). More goosanders arrived during in the month, with a count of 19 (22nd.) and a pintail paid a brief visit on the same day. Other wintering visitors included numerous redwing, fieldfare, teal and wigeon.
Flocks of small birds were everywhere including 40+ goldfinch feeding off the teasel, similar numbers of linnet, mixed feeding groups of lesser redpoll and siskin, house sparrows in the hedges, parties of long-tailed tits in the trees and a small flock of swirling starlings on the main island. Also on the island were several common snipe together with more than 50 lapwing and earlier in the month a green sandpiper.
Water birds seen around the main lake were up to 19 gadwall, 20 shoveler, 30 pochard, 40 tufted, 3 little grebe, 2 great-crested grebe, a dozen cormorant and a few grey heron.
A challenge for visitors to the hide was to pick out the mediterranean gull, in winter plumage, amongst the 200 or so black-headed gulls and several lesser black-backed and juvenile herring and common gulls.
On the feeders there were good sightings of 2 willow tit, 4 bullfinch and numerous other finches and tits. Other interesting birds seen were 3 grey wagtail, a kingfisher sat on a post in front of the hide, reed bunting, green and great-spotted woodpecker, ring-necked parakeet and jay. The usual raptors kestrel, sparrowhawk and buzzard could be seen daily
A few lingering swallow flew through (5th.) and a chiffchaff could still be heard. The good weather also produced views of migrant hawker and common darter dragonflies.
Thanks to Colin Sedgwick for compiling this report.
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards